
V 



SOUTHERN 



•^ ^ND v EQe , 



SHIPPERS' 

Guide and Manual 



WHAT TO GROW FOR NORTHERN MARKETS, 
HOW TO PACK, SHIP, ETC., ETC. 




P. M. 'KIELY, 

ST. LOUIS, MO. 



MAECH, 1683. 






Copyrighted by P. M. Kiely, 18 



k£ 



ESTABLISHED X3ST ISSS. 

P. M. KIELY & CO 

Commission /T^ef^ghants, 

Nd, B14 North Third Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 



& Fruits in their Season a Specialty. I 



9 



a 



Special Attention given to Early Fruits and Vege- 
tables from the South. 



We offer to Shippers 20 Years' Experience, Promptness and 
the Best Location in the City. 



We also Receive and Sell, during the Winter and Spring, Poultry, 
Game, Eggs, Butter, Hides, Furs, Wool, Feathers, etc., etc. 



Stencil Plates, Price Currents, Etc., Free on Application. 

2/g) gvfi , 



SOUTHERN 

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

—FOR— 

Northern Markets 



What to grow ; how to ship and pack ; the best 

varieties; the prices prevailing in St. Louis 

throughout the year, 

And a variety of information of interest to Southern 
growers and shippers. 



==■ 



■ By P. M. KIELY, 

Mafcn,i8ee. ST( LDUIS, MD 



This Pamphlet is free to all applicants who inclose 
three cents in stamps to prepay postage. 

^\ / 

{ MAr. 27 1888 -Tt 



_ ^ , ^^ 

O Our Patrons and the Public : 

; 

From every Section of the South we are 
constantly receiving letters in relation to the snip- 
ing of fruits and vegetables to this and other mar- 
kets, the most profitable hinds to grow, how to pack 
and ship, the kind of packages required, the prices 
prevailing throughout the year for the various 
articles, and the great fund of information in con- 
nection with the trade, so important to everybody 
embaj-king in the business. As new parties are 
steadily going into business, we are besieged each 
season with the same questions. To supply this 
information, in a concise and convenient form, we 
have published this pamphlet, believing it covers 
most of the questions usually asked. We gather the 
information given from twenty years' experience in 
the business in this city, and we trust it will be of 
service to the many who will receive it. 



s^ 



P. M. KIELY & CO. 



;k 



Xs 



3 



Spring, 1888. 

%UST two years ago we published a pamphlet similar to the 
$ present work— printing an edition of 6,000 copies, and figured 
on that supplying the demand for three years. Upwards of 3,000 
copies went out at once to our patrons and the various parties 
throughout the South and West seeking it. We reserved the 
remainder for new applicants, but the calls became so frequent, 
that we found the supply almost exhausted towards the 1st of 
February, 1888. After that time the demand became greater, 
until we finally concluded to publish the present volume, which 
we trust is an improvement on the old one. The many new 
parties going into the business throughout the South, coupled 
with the warm indorsements of the work by the newspapers and 
agri«ultural journals, has created a demand for it far beyond our 
expectations. The calls for it came from Florida, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, 
Missouri, Illinois, and not a few from points further North and 
East, and from parties who wanted to embark in the business 
further South. 



4 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

RETROSPECTIVE. 

In connection with our subject, a few words concerning the 
growth and history of the trade in this city will not be out of 
place here. When the writer embarked in the business in this 
city, in the fall of 1866, there was but one fruit commission house 
in St. Louis, and, indeed, one house was all that was then neces- 
sary to take care of what was consigned here. All the Southern 
States, including Arkansas and Tennessee, were then unknown 
as shippers of fruits or vegetables. Southern Illinois was then 
the remotest point as a field for such supplies known to the city, 
and the fruit season was so short as to be of little value or 
interest. Since then a dozen or more of houses have 
sprung up, many of whom we believe claim now to be the oldest 
and most experienced in the city. • 

Each year new railroads opened up new fields and new terri- 
tories, from which supplies began to come liberally, notably 
Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, with shipments 
from more Southern points later. Each year the season length- 
ened, until the present time, when we have an unbroken selling 
season of nine months, beginning in March with strawberries, and 
ending about the 1st of December with grapes. The very 
extensive vegetable supply lengthens the season— in fact, keeps 
coming here throughout the year. An increase of commission 
houses, to take care of this constantly growing trade was, of 
course, a natural result, and tended to develop and encourage 
the production. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 5 

THE FUTURE OUTLOOK. 

That there is a growing appreciation of fruit as an article of 
food, and very justly so, cannot be denied. The more fruit we 
consume the healthier we become as a people, and the le^s doc- 
tor bills we will have to pay. The fruit grower, in addition to 
being a public benefactor, finds some consolation in the fact that 
his calling, properly and intelligently pursued, is highly remuner- 
ative, paying much better in fact than numerous undertakings, 
claiming more public attention, in which considerable capital 
must be invested before anything can be realized. It is not as 
uncertain or full of the elements of risks as many other enterprises 
are, and, therefore, is a more inviting field for men of limited 
means. 

The most encouraging feature in connection with the grow- 
ing of fruits and vegetables is the rapid progress made towards 
utilizing the surplus. The past year or two introduced so many 
new canning establishments and evaporators and fruit dryers, 
and into so many districts where they were comparatively 
unknown, that a new hope has been inspired and a fresh impetus 
given to the business. Indeed the question of what shall we do 
with our surplus, need no longer fill the heart of the grower 
with dismay. The demand is becoming more general, not only 
for the fresh supply, but also for the canned goods— both fruits 
and vegetables, and the industry of growing and shipping has 
grown to such dimensions that a great variety of fruits and veg- 
etables have become within the reach of all. 



SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 



LOCA TION— SHIPPING. 

You should aim to get as near the depot or shipping point as 
possible. Long hauls, especially over rough roads— unpleasant 
features that many shippers cannot avoid— inflict on the fruit 
frequently very serious injury, especially if the art of packing 
for such emergencies is not thoroughly understood. You are 
too often in a hurry and your fruit is shook up, and you haven't 
time to examine it at the depot. Later, when the returns come 
in, if they do not compare favorably with your neighbor's, who 
placed his fruit in splendid order on the train before starting, 
the commission man " catches it," unless you devote a little 
time to reflection over the matter. If the receiver writes and 
explains, it may refresh your memory and make his offence less 
grevious, but if he does not do so, he will in most cases lose a 
customer. 

You will not, of course, attempt to carry strawberries or other 
tender fruits and vegetables to town or depot in a wagon with- 
out springs, and your goods must be protected from the hot sun, 
the dust of the roads, and the rain, by a waterproof covering 
that will afford ample protection. Sufficient time must be had 
when loading up, to handle carefully, both at home and when 
the depot is reached. With these precautions properly observed, 
the prospects are that your fruits, etc., will reach the consignee 
in good order. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 

FREQUENT HANDLING FRUIT IS EXPOSED TO. 

The average shipper has no idea how often his fruit is hand- 
led and moved about before it reaches the- consumer, and 
therefore the importance of the most careful packing cannot be 
lost sight of. To illustrate, let us review the scene on the arri- 
val of the fruit runs from the South-the two main runs arriv- 
ing about same time in the morning ((3:30 to 7:30). 

On arrival of trains at the Union depot, the Southern & 
Pacific Express Companies back up their wagons to the express 
cars as soon as the doors are open. A few expressmen, assisted 
by some of the commission men, or their employes, enter the car 
and commence passing out the goods to the drivers. A dozen or 
more firms are represented, and all are in a hurry and anxious to 
get off with the fruit, for their customers are at their stores up 
town waiting, and they do not want to miss the early sales— 
always the best. Therefore, handling each package carefully or 
laying it down easily,is out of the question, where so many have 
to be handled in the very short time in which it has to be done. 
In this car is fruit from perhaps, 20 different shipping points, and 
from 100 different shippers, intended possibly for 75 different 
firms, for this car may have shipments for the various towns in 
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, etc. The 
outgoing trains will soon be ready and all this fruit must be 
transferred, checked off and re-billed for its various destinations. 
The express employes, in their anxiety to keep these various lots 



8 SO UTHERN FR UITS AND VEGETABLES 

from getting left, add to the confusion and prolong the delivery 
to local receivers. All must be separated for the various part- 
ties and numerous firms here and elsewhere. Consequently rapid 
and occasionally rough handling seems unavoidable. When the 
wagons are loaded they drive across the track to the express 
buildings and platforms, where the fruit is separated once more 
for the many firms whose wagons form a solid wreath around the 
platforms. It is lifted again and passed into all these wagons, 
receipted for and driven off rapidly, and on reaching the com- 
mission houses the fruit has to be separated once more and 
credited up to the respective owners and shippers. After being 
thus hurriedly handled half a dozen times it is ready for the pur- 
chaser's inspection. He throws it into his wagon once more with 
similar haste, and it is hurried off over the streets again, and set 
down again for the inspection of the consumer ; and it is safe to 
say, it could not be recognized now by the original owner— apart 
from his marks— unless the packing was of the best at the start. 

These are some of the features of the business that should 
be calmly considered by the shipper, who, too often jumps at the 
conclusion that he was robbed— that his fruit was first-class, and 
must have opened up fine. 

Large shipments or car load lots, do not, however, suffer to 
this extent, for such are usually loaded into the receiver's wagon 
and hauled direct to his store, or the Express Company's wagons 
will do the same when the amount reaches something near a 
load. Time and re-handling of fruit is thus saved to the large 
shipper. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 9 

IN REGARD TO PACKING. 

Growers and shippers of fruit cannot realize, unless they 
were here to see it opened, how it injures the sale and depreci- 
ates the value of their goods to find inferior fruit mixed in, and 
covered up, in good fruit. Put in no inferior fruit of any kind. 
We know it is difficult to watch pickers where a great many are 
engaged, especially inexperienced hands, but the successful 
grower will take timely steps, whatever his hurry, to guard 
against such a serious mistake. Topping off, putting on top all 
the good fruit in the box is also a mistake, and its injustice must 
be apparent to the most indifferent. Let the surface represent a 
good average of the contents, or perhaps a trifle better, but no 
further effort should be made to practice a deception. 

Remember your name or stencil number is on the packages, 
and the buyer commits to memory very readily the brand which 
deceived him. 

Some of the crooked brands are so well known in this 
market that it is difficult to find a buyer for them, even at a big 
reduction. Every dealer is trying to secure the best trade which 
can only be accomplished by having nice, uniform fruit. We 
repeat, let your fruit run straight and do not injure your reputa- 
tion by trying to deceive anybody. Packing is a most important 
part of the business and cannot be studied too closely, and you 
cannot get out of the business what it is capable of yielding 
unless your packing is done as it should be. 



10 SOUTHERN FEU1TS AND VEGETABLES 

SOME FACTS TO CONSIDER 

During the hot weather when you commence shipping. Peas 
and beans, for instance, gathered in the sun when the thermom- 
eter registers 90© in the shade, if packed immediately in a 
bushel box and put into the average hot car will soon be heated 
to ICO degrees, and a few hours later fermentation and decay 
folio vvs. Moisture is the surest agent to hasten fermentation, 
decay and loss, and it is very important that the goods— whether 
fruits or vegetables -should be thoroughly dry, and the cooler 
you can get them the better the chances of their reaching their 
destination in good order. They often encounter while in tran- 
sit, most unfavorable weather, such as close, cloudy, warm 
weather, accompanied by frequent showers, and unless the pack- 
inghas been done under the most favorable conditions, goods will 
not arrive in good order under such circumstances. A most 
careful observer states that the crushed leaves of the radish fur- 
nish moisture enough to ruin the goods in 24 hours if packed in 
a temperature of 70 degrees or upwards. Exclude from the 
goods before packed, all the heat and moisture possible, 
and your packing shed should be so located and constructed 
that it will catch every passing breeze and allow the air to circu- 
late freely, and thus carry off the surplus heat and moisture in 
the goods you are packing. 

One error in packing, that is too frequently practiced is, that 
of putting into the same package the various grades, from green 
to ripe or over-ripe fruits, etc. If you will pack and ship either 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 11 

too ripe or too green— which we do not approve of— be sure to 
put them in separate boxes or paeka'ges, so that one will not 
spoil the appearance or sale of the other. You must remember 
that the inevitable jarring and jolting the fruit is subject to 
while en route, whether berries, tomatoes, peaches, or pears, 
will cause the hard ones to crush the soft ones, thus spreading 
the juice over all and spoiling the sale. You will therefore See 
the necessity of exercising proper precaution. Early in the 
season, when first shipments are made from the South, the 
weather is quite cool, and berries reach us as green as when they 
left shippers' hands, and do not ripen or color up on the way, but 
shippers' in their anxiety to catch high prices, pick and ship 
indiscriminately, and thus injure the market on themselves and 
their neighbors. 

WHO TO SHIP TO. 
To handle fruit to advantage requires experience and facili- 
ties which few commission houses possess. It can be readily 
seen that houses lacking experience, who receive such consign- 
ments only occasionally, are not prepared to do justice to ship- 
pers, or as well as those making a specialty of such products. A 
firm not regularly in this line of business sometimes receives a 
shipment when the market is weak and easily broken, and hav- 
ing no regular trade, is compelled to sell under the market price t 
thus precipitating a general decline, which could be avoided had 
the goods been held by some house having an established trade, 
We are not only familiar with the wants of the local trade, but 



12 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

have built up a good order trade, and'at times use the wires 
freely, at our own expense, in the interest of shipper and pur- 
chaser, and thereby enable ourselves to clean up and save the 
market. Through our exertions, in this and other ways, we 
have done much to bring buyers as well as shippers to our mar- 
ket, and at the same time built up for ourselves a good business, 
our efforts being properly appreciated by all parties concerned. 
We have no doubt the same remarks will apply with equal 
force to the leading houses in the same line in other markets, a 
number of whom will be found in this book, for we have selec- 
ted the best and most experienced firms we could find in the 
markets represented. All the cards found elsewhere, form a part 
of the information which should go out with such a work as this. 



SPECIAL NOTICE. 

We wish to state to shippers, especially to the many new 
ones embarking in the business, that the prices received for 
Southern fruits and vegetables in the principal markets of the 
country, during the shipping season of 1887, were far above the 
average figures, the result of unfavorable weather— first, late 
frosts, and later, prolonged drouths. 

Therefore, the prices we shall quote as prevailing at the 
respective dates given, must not be relied on as a fair average, or 
as a basis for future operations. A liberal margin must be 
allowed to strike an average. 

At this writing (March 1st) we are assured that the berry 
crop of Louisiana is the largest she ever raised. The vegetable 
supply of Mississippi promises to be more than double that of 
last year. The strawberry crop further North, however, espe- 
cially at the big shipping points in Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois 
and Missouri, will be small, even below the light yield of 1887, 
the result of the prolonged drouths of the Summer and Fall. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 13 



FRUITS. 



STRA WBERRIES 

Are the first fruits of the season. They come to us with the 
genial atmosphere of Spring, though not infrequently with the 
raw winds of March, and occasionally with the snowflakes and 
hard freezing of February. However, regardless of the weather r 
they are warmly welcomed by the epicure, the invalid and by 
more or less people with fat pocket-books. Eighteen or 
twenty years ago strawberries in this market were something 
of a luxury. The season then was about six weeks in duration. 
Now, it is six months from the first receipts from the far South 
until the final shipment from Northern Illinois, or Racine, Wis. 
The strawberry has been steadily gaining in popularity. It 
merits the patronage of every man, woman and child. No 
healthier fruit can be consumed. It is eminently the fruit for 
the million and now so extensively cultivated, that it is within 
the reach of all. The supply, rapidly as it has grown, has hardly 
kept pace with the demand. The many new railroads penetra- 
ting every section has become the most important factor in the 
development of the business North and South, and served to 
bring together, in every market, both the consumer and produ- 
cer. The re-shipments from here of the Southern products are 
very large compared to what they were a few years ago. St. 



14 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

Louis is rapidly becoming, in consequence, a great distributing 
center, and now has access to a wide range of territory from 
which she was formerly shut out. Similar progress in the same 
direction has doubtless been made by other leading centers. 

More money has been made off the strawberry than any 
other fruit, considering the time, labor and money involved, and 
it is likely to remain the most profitable. It represents more 
money to the acre, as well as more real profits, than any other 
product. Many of the Southern cultivators in the various states 
growing considerable small fruits are novices in the business, 
and have had to battle with all the obstacles and disappoint- 
ments that beset the pathway of the inexperienced growers, and 
not a few became discouraged and dropped out when Successful 
results Were almost discernible. 

It proved a great relief to many of them to be relieved from 
the unprofitable labor of cotton raising on lands eminently adap- 
ted to fruit growing, and yet, rather unproductive and unfit for 
Southern staple products. There is still a great deal of such 
land, largely impoverished by the incessant strain of crop rais- 
ing, that the fruit grower could render remunerative by diligent 
effort. 

The strawberry crop rarely fails and never proves a total 
failure, as many other fruit crops do, except through gross negli- 
gence. Take this county for instance, where the business is 
conducted very extensively, some 1,500 acres, and no such 
thing as a failure of the crop has been recorded in the past 
twenty years. Occasionally, the crop is light through most 



FOR NORTHERN MARKET*. 15 

unfavorable weather or other causes, but half a crop is the low- 
est estimate that can be recalled since the business began here, 
in a small way, twenty years ago. You will see then, that the 
strawberry growers' investment cannot be regarded in jeopardy, 
as investments a,re in most other avenues of trade; and, while 
there is not the alluring profits in the business that there was 
eight or ten years ago, it must not be forgotten that the margins 
or profits in every line of business have not only declined and 
shrunk just as rapidly but to a greater extent. 

The first receipts in- our market of late years except 
irregular shipments from Florida, came from Louisiana, gener- 
ally from Independence, Amite City, or Tickfaw, little stations 
not far north of New Orleans. The Crescent city, however, 
receives berries from her suburban fruit patches long before 
any city further north is favored with shipments, mainly 
because the favorite varieties there are too sensitive to stand 
long shipments successfully. Ten or twelve years ago, Cit- 
ronelle, Ala., thirty miles norty of Mobile, furnished us the first 
berries of the season for several years in succession and was 
followed by Charleston, S. C, for a few years. Later, Texas had 
the honor of doing so for two or three years, and Missis- 
sippi came very near carrying off the distinction several times. 

The first receipts of strawberries, last Spring, were from 
Florida, several cases on the 2nd of March, and sold from 75c to 
$1.00 a quart. The receipts continued from Florida for several 
days thereafter, but sales were slow at $3.00 a gallon. On the 4th 
some small lots came from Louisiana, but were rather green and 



16 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

poor, and sold lower than the Florida receipts — $2.00 to $2.50 a gal- 
lon. March 5th to 10th, under pressure of heavy receipts from 
Florida and most unfavorable weather, prices declined to $1.25 to 
1.50 a gallon. From the 15th to 25th, the figures remained the 
same, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama now supplying 
the demand. About the 1st of April the market is $1.00 to $1.50 
a gallon according to quality and condition, and the above four 
States, with a few small shipments from Texas, are represented. 
The first week in April, Mississippi berries are quoted at $11.00 a 
case, six gallons. On the 12th of April first berries from Arkansas 
appear, Crystal City variety, and sold $7.00 to $8.00 a case. April 
15th to 20th reads: Mississippi receipts, $8.00 to $10.00 a case; 
Arkansas, $8.00 to $10.00, Scarlets, $5.00 to $6.00 ; Louisiana, $8.00 
to $9.00; Alabama, $7.00 to $9.00; Florida receipts soft, and she 
disappears about this time. From the 23rd to 30th of April, most 
of the receipts are from Arkansas ; Tennessee, however, has made 
a few shipments, and on the 1st of May receipts are quite heavy ; 
Mississippi is still shipping— fruit is firm and selling at $3.00 to 
$4.00 a case ; Kentucky appears 1st of May, her fruit selling at 
$6.00 a case ; Arkansas, $3.00 to $5.00 ; Tennessee, $4.50 to $5.00 
a case. 2nd and 4th, receipts very heavy— bulk from Arkansas— 
which sold at an average of $2.50 to $3.00 a case, fruit being 
delayed and some soft and water-soaked; Tennessee, $3.00 to 
$3.25; Kentucky, $1.00 to $4.50; Southern Illinois, $4.00 to $4.50; 
Southeast Missouri stock commenced to come, and sold at $4.00 
to $4.50 a case. May 10th, quotations : Arkansas, $2.00 a case ; 
Tennessee; $2.C0 to $2.50, mostly Crescents ; Kentucky, $2.75 to 



FOR NOR THERN MARKE TS. 17 

$3.75, Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri $3 to $4.00 a case. 
May 15th the Price Current reads Tennessee and Arkansas ship- 
ping in a small way, but fruit soft and inferior (final shipments). 
Arkansas $1.75 to $2.75, Tennessee $2 to $3.00, Southern Illinois 
$2 50 to $3 75, Southeast Missouri, mainly Monarchs, $3 to $4 25, 
Kentucky Crescent and Sharpless $3.00 to $4.25. Home-grown 
have now commenced to come regularly— 75c. to $1.00 a gallon 
very fine Wilsons. After this time the market possesses little 
interest for the shipper south of this. It will be seen from the 
foregoing that prices did not reach the low point they often do 
at the height of the season. It should be added that an unfavor- 
able season lowered the grade, or quality of the fruit for most 
shippers, especially those of Tennessee and Arkansas, which 
embraced for ten days or more the bulk of the receipts. 

You will see from the foregoing where the fruit comes from, 
when they begin, and who you will have to compete with as 
shippers as the season progresses. 

Our local crop of berries, usually very fine, is composed 
largely of Wilsons, and is shipped freely in every direction. It 
comes in half-bushel drawers, in stands of four drawers. Some, 
however, continue to use the six-gallon case, which many ship- 
pers prefer to any other package in filling orders. 

As to varieties, we still consider the Wilson the great berry 
for commercial purposes. For the family wants or local trade 
we would select a sweeter and finer flavored fruit. The Sharp- 
less, Monarch, Capt. Jack, Crescent, and many others we might 
enumerate, have claims to distinction too. The Charleston 



13 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

variety we regard quite valuable for the far South, say Central 
Mississippi and farther South. A great many newer varieties 
than the foregoing are very highly spoken of, but not being 
very familiar with them shall make no farther reference to them. 
Six-gallon cases (24 quarts) bring most of the fruit to this 
market and will doubtless continue to do so. For long distances 
or Eastern markets would recommend the Gift Crate, a 32-quart 
ventilated crate (basket quarts), such as Florida uses, a package 
which meets all the requirements of thorough ventilation. The 
special paragraph elsewhere in regard to packing should not be 
overlooked. 



BLACKBERRIES. 

Do not figure very extensively among the shipments from the 
South, it is not a good shipper, and a good portion of the con- 
signments arrive in bad order. Blackberries, under certain 
conditions, become sour while in transit during the night — 
though we have seen berries out thirty-six to forty hours which 
arrived in fair order. The very hot weather that usually 
accompanies the maturing of this fruit is the worst feature it 
has to contend with. We would not, therefore, advise extensive 
planting by parties far away from market. Arriving as it 
always does when the market is crowded with strawberries, it 
does not bring any fancy price. The fruit, however, is attractive 
and sells readily, if it can be placed before the purchaser fresh 
from the vines or a few hours after gatheri»g. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 19 

The first receipts were wild from Arkansas, May 27th, and 
sold at $3.00 a case— six gallons. They continued to come 
steadily for ten days, the price varying but little, $2.50 to $3.00 a 
case. About the 10th of June cultivated are coming and find 
buyers at $3.50 to $4.50 a case. From the 15th to 20th receipts 
are very liberal— mainly wild— Arkansas still furnishing the 
majority of the receipts, although Illinois and Missouri are also 
shipping, and prices range from $1.25 to $2.50 a case for wild, 
according to condition, etc.; cultivated $2.50 to $3.50. The 
course of the market later will disclose little of interest to 
Southern shippers. 

Alabama shipped here very successfully three years ago for 
nearly a month— commencing about the 8th of May and securing 
good prices $3.00 to $4.50 a case. It was a small berry, probably 
wild, but firm, and reached here by fast freight, two and a half 
days out, in fine order. 

The Lawton— an old standard variety, one of the best, its 
only fault that it is a little tender and gets killed too often in this 
latitude. The Kittatinney is in a measure taking its place, being 
quite hardy and very productive, but the fruit is not so large. 
There are several other highly recommended varieties not so 
well known to us. 

The strawberry case is the most suitable package. They 
should be gathered just as soon as fairly colored— while yet firm. 
If permitted to get fully ripe, or soft, will soon sour, the least jar- 
ring, or rough handling scattering the juice, which sours the 
whole lot in a few hours. 



20 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

BLACK RASPBERRIES 
Have been slowly but steadily disappearing from our markets 
The supply of last year was the lightest in ten years, though 
nine or ten years ago immense quantities came in from this 
vicinity— especially from Collinsville, Ills., ten miles east of us. 
At present, however, the people there are devoting their atten- 
tion to something else, for the strawberries became so abundant 
and cheap in the market of late years that the profitable open- 
ing for black raspberries vanished. 

Still there is too little cultivated now for the demand. Dur- 
ing the past two years the shipper fortunate enough to have some 
realized good prices, and for the first time in the experience of 
the trade they sold as high as the red varieties, which formerly 
averaged nearly double the prices paid for black. The black is a 
good shipper, hardy and productive, and not as sensitive or diffi- 
cult to grow as the red. For long shipments the pint box and 
three-gallon cases ought to be used, though parties within a few 
hours' ride of the market, could use the quart boxes and crates. 
They appear soon after the blackberry, and open at about 75c. a 
gallon, and gradually decline as the receipts increase, until they 
strike $2.50 a case (24 quarts), which is about as low as they reach 
at any time. 

There is a good demand now for the black as well as the red 
raspberry, from the canning and preserving establishments, an 
additional inducement to cultivate them. We consider the 
Miami Black Cap and the Gregg the two best varieties grown— 
the Gregg heading the list. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 21 

RED RASPBERRIES 
Are a prime favorite with all lovers of fruit, and yet have been 
somewhat overlooked by the average fruit grower until about 
four years ago, when a number of cultivators turned their atten- 
tion to them. Southern Illinois grows them in abundance and 
ships freely to this city— always in pint boxes, in neat, flat, three- 
gallon cases, which are the proper packages for this delicious, 
but somewhat delicate fruit. They do not stand long shipments. 
Arkansas or West Tennessee is as far south as we would suggest 
growing for this market. Mississippi grows considerable of 
them for the New Orleans and other Southern markets, and prof- 
itably too, I learn. When the receipts become large, the canning 
establishments here are the most liberal buyers we have— their 
figures, according to supplies on market, quality and condition of 
fruits, are from 40c. to GOc a gallon, but this is in the midst of 
the season, when they are most abundant, say from the middle 
to the latter part of June. The first receipts came in 25th May 
from Arkansas, and' ranged from $2.00 .to $2.50 per three-gallon 
case, pint boxes, and slowly declined until the latter part of 
June, when they fell to nearly half the foregoing figures, the 
lowest prices known to the trade here. The prices about 1st July 
are $1.00 to $1.50 per three gallon case (24pints),and the receipts 
mainly from Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and 
this country, ranging in quality and condition from very poor to 
choice. 



22 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

CHERRIES 

Do not appear to be a very profitable crop south of this latitude. 
The cherry tree being perfectly hardy, thrives in all the Northern 
States in good soil, and it is not adapted to a warm climate. The 
finer varieties which embrace the Mazzardg, Hearts and Biggar- 
eaus, do not flourish in either the West or South, owing princi- 
pally to the injury inflicted on the bark or trunks of the trees by 
the hot sun of midsummer. The Dukes and Morelloes are less 
susceptible to climate influences, are smaller and hardier, and 
the fruit being more acid, embrace some of the features that 
make it a better keeper and shipper hence they are better adapted 
to the West and South. Illinois and Missouri furnish most of the 
cherries consumed here. 

The first receipts received were from Southern Illinois, 14th 
of May, and sold at 75c. per gallon— Early May variety. The first 
receipts the previous year were from Arkansas, and sold at G5c. 
per gallon, or $4.00 per case, getting in on the 15th of May. In 
1886, first receipts were from Tennessee, 18th of May, selling at 
75c. per gallon. The prices do not decline much for the two 
weeks following, but then the Illinois and Missouri shippers com- 
mence and ship quite freely, and the price soon declines to $2.00 
per case, and later, when the growers in this vicinity get to pick- 
ing, the price is down to 25c. per gallon, which is generally the 
lowest they reach at any time, figures that shut out growers at a 
distance. In damp, cloudy weather they decay very rapidly after 
reaching maturity. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 23 

Of course the stem should be left attached to the fruit, since 
it not only fills the box much more readily in this way,but keeps the 
berries from bleeding and becoming sour soon afterwards. Cher- 
ries come to us occasionally from as far south as Mississippi. 
Every fruit grower should have at least a few trees for home use 
if nothing more. The strawberry boxes and crates should be 
used for them. 



GOOSEBERRIES AND CURRANTS 

Eeceive little attention at the hands of Southern shippers. The 
climate is not so well adapted to their culture as it is further 
north. Some have tried them, no doubt, but with what success 
we have not^learned. We consider each worthy of trial to some 
extent, at least, for local consumption if nothing more. It would 
pay well to get either in here ahead of local growers. They are 
not grown extensively in this section, though the prices are 
usually good throughout the season. 

Our market is supplied with currants mainly from Northern 
Illinois. Onarga is famous for currant growing. Galena also 
ships considerable to this market. Strawberry boxes and crates 
are adapted to both in shipping. 

Gooseberries were quite scarce in this market last year, $2.00 
per bushel being the lowest price paid, while the bulk of the sales 
were $2.00 to $2.50 per case— 24 quarts. Supplies were evidently 



24 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

small at all points. Houghton, Seedling and Downing are the best 
varieties. They heat in a short time in barrels or sacks, and 
should be shipped only in drawers or strawberry cases— 24 quarts. 
They stand shipping so well is one good inducement to plant. 
Ship when full-grown before they commence getting brown. 

Currants flourish best in a cool, shady or partly shaded local- 
ity, such as northside of fences. They grow successfully in this 
locality and ought to succeed further south. The Red and White 
Dutch varieties are best. Use the same packages as for goose- 
berries, drawers or quart boxes. They were scarce and high all 
last season— ranging from 40c. to 75c. per gallon throughout. 



NECTARINES 

Are entirely neglected or forgotten by the fruit growers patron- 
izing this market. Indeed, they are a novelty here, so rarely can 
they be found. When they do appear, however, they find ready 
sale at $1.00 to $2.00 per box. The Nectarine is simply a peach 
with a smooth, glossy skin, devoid of the fuzz of the peach, but 
its smooth surface unfortunately seems to attract the attention 
of the Curculio who preys on it, and is, no doubt, largely respon- 
sible for its absence in our markets. We believe, however, it has 
not been given a fair show by the fruit growers, or we would see 
more of the fruit. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 



APRICOTS 



Kipen a month before peaches do, and would strike a splendid 
market on this account, and nearly all I have said about the Nec- 
tarine will apply with equal force here. It is too much neg- 
lected and its great enemy, too, is the Curculio, which attacks the 
plum, a fruit the Apricot so much resembles, partaking of its 
character and habits, and successfully attacked by the same 
insects. The Apricot is budded on seedling Apricots, and also on 
peach and plum stocks, the latter preferable, being longer-lived. 
The Apricot appears a cross between the plum and the peach, 
but from a scientific point, it is not. A few come in from this 
county and find willing buyers at $1.50 to $2.00 per box, but very 
seldom, however, can any be found here. 



WHOR TLEBERR1ES 

€ome to us quite freely every year, especially from Arkansas, 
where they grow wild. They usually sell well at $3.00 to $4.00 
per case of twenty-four quarts. A good many are sent in only 
partly ripe, and often mixed, some green and some ripe. Green 
ones are unsalable and have to be dumped, while the mixed sell 
according to amount of ripe ones in the package. Only straight 
ripe or fully colored should be shipped, as it is difficult to sell the 
mixed or partly ripe at any price. 



26 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

THE DAMSON PLUM 

We believe, has never been properly tested by the fruit growers 
generally of the South, and I doubt whether any other plum will 
pay near as well in the territory tributary to this market. Very 
hardy and productive and enjoying, as it does, immunity from 
insect enemies, and in addition to these market advantages, the 
best shipper of all— it is more than surprising that it should be 
so overlooked. It thrives on neglect, yields a half to a full crop 
as regularly and surely as the apple orchard does, and being long- 
lived and content to nourish in out-of-the-way places and fence 
corners, it appeals strongly to the fruit grower for recognition. 
The market moreover is never glutted, rarely sells below 75c. to 
$1.00 per box, and more frequently averages $1 .00 to %\ .25 per box, 
and comes through in splendid order in one-third bushel boxes. 
It should be gathered when fully colored, and will then be safe for 
several days' shipment. It also makes a most delicious preserve, 
and is purchased freely for this purpose by the many preserving 
establishments here who have to send East frequently for supplies. 
Very few of the choice varieties of plums, so well known East, 
are grown anywhere within reach of this market. The many 
who attempted cultivating an assortment of choice varieties be- 
came discouraged at the inroads made on the crop by the Curcu- 
lio and other insect enemies, and did not exercise the patience, 
perseverance and labor necessary to save the fruit from them, so 
abandoned further efforts in that direction. Very rarely, therefore, 
can the Gages or other favorite varieties be found in our market. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 27 

QUINCES. 

There is little demand in this market for the quince, until 
the heated term is passed. Being purchased only for preserving 
purposes, they are somewhat neglected until toward the^st of 
October. Most of the preserving is attended to in October and 
November. This suits the producers within a radius of 100 
miles or so of this market, but the more southern territory find 
this too late for their shipments, which mature some weeks 
earlier. Prices during August and September average $1.50 to 
$2.00 per bushel, and for the next two months $2.00 to $2.50 per 
bushel. If the fruit is gathered carefully and kept entirely free 
from bruises, and laid away in the coolest places accessible to 
the grower, in the absence of cold storage, they can be kept 
successfully for several weeks. Quinces come here every year 
from California, wrapped in paper in three-peck boxes, but do not 
reach here until the local supplies disappear. As few fruit growers 
pay any attention to the quince, it is usually a profitable crop. 

The majority of the quinces that appear in our market every 
season, usually in November, come from New York State, where 
they are extensively and successfully grown. In the West and 
South, the few trees planted have been too much neglected, and 
as a result, many of the trees become stunted and barren. 

The soil for the quince should be deep and rich, such as will 
raise good corn and potatoes, and should be kept well cultivated. 
I have rarely seen a quince tree in my travels that was not 
stunted and full of suckers, the usual evidence of neglect. 



28 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

They can be packed in half, or bushel boxes, also in barrels, 
and can be shipped by freight when the express charges come too 
high. When full grown, but before they color up much, gather 
and ship them. This will afford an opportunity to re-ship if nec- 
essary. 



GRAPES. 

Grape growing south of this latitude has not received the 
attention that the business' merits. Instead of increasing, the 
business has been on the decline for several years. Those that 
have fairly tried it to an extent, have made it pay handsomely. 
From what we have received from the different States south of 
this latitude, we think that the Ives Seedling, Concord and Dela- 
ware are the varieties that will produce the most money. Of 
course, several more varieties might be profitably grown, but we 
would head the list with these three varieties, and next, would 
say Moore's Early, similar to the Concord, ten days earlier, 
and quite valuable on this account. We disclaim any inten- 
tion of doing injustice to the many newer varieties that are 
offered, some of which may possibly prove more profitable 
than the varieties well known to us, so the matter of testing, 
etc, rests with the grower. The experiments made are few, and 
possibly the grape for the million in the Southern States is still 
unknown to them. The Scuppernong, so well known to the 
Southern people, is unknown in this market, rarely appearing 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 2& 

here ; it would not become popular here, anyhow. The Concord 
is here among grapes what the Wilson is among the straw- 
berry buyers, the one for the" people, especially for commercial 
purposes. We would suggest discarding the Hartford altogether. 
The berries drop off when it reaches maturity, and it becomes at 
once almost unsalable, unless for a mere trifle. 

The injury inflicted on the crop in this vicinity by late frosts 
and severity of midwinter, the past three or four seasons, dis- 
couraged so many grape growers that we look for little from 
them in the future. In fact, within a radius of one hundred 
miles of this city the business is steadily on the decline, and far 
from what it was ten or twelve years ago, when Missouri prom- 
ised to become a great grape growing State, and when a number 
of confident and enthusiastic growers were making extensive 
arrangements for the future. In consequence, last year St. Louis 
received from Ohio alone, during the six weeks she was shipping, 
thirty-five to forty cars— 25,000 pounds to the car— the majority 
of them in neat ten-pound baskets, wooden covers, the best 
package used. New York State shipped here also, perhaps fifty 
cars in all, the bulk of them choice Concords. Pennsylvania and 
Northern Illinois, also shipped several cars. A good many of 
the Ohio receipts were also in open baskets, holding about fifteen 
pounds ; a brown paper over them and tied around the basket 
with a string. On arrival the papers were removed, and the 
bunches of grapes which rounded the top were so carefully 
handled that the bloom on them remained undisturbed. They 
looked inviting and sold well. This package can be used only 



30 SO UTHERN FR UITS A ND VEOE TA BLES 

when shipping by the car which is locked, sealed and open only by 
the consignee at destination. Among the New York and Ohio 
grapes last season were some of the Niagara and Pocklington 
varieties, the finest white grapes that ever appeared on our 
market. The bunches are large and compact— berries as large 
as the Concord— good flavor and shipper, and altogether highly 
attractive in appearance. They sold readily at 10 to 12 cents per 
pound when the market was crowded with grapes. Ohio grows 
the Concord and Catawba very successfully, and the art of hand- 
ling and packing is thoroughly understood by the growers there. 
Western New York shipped very choice grapes— the handling 
and packing being about perfect. They came during October 
and November. From the foregoing it can be readily seen that 
there is more encouragement than ever for Southern growers, as 
the markets of the North and West will be found comparatively 
bare for a long time. 

The first receipts last year appeared the first week in July, 
were from Mississippi and Alabama, one-third bushel boxes, 12 
to 14 pounds net, and sold at $1.00 per box. The variety was the 
Hartford— the poorest variety cultivated, having really nothing 
to recommend it. Any other variety coming at this time would 
sell much higher. Texas made a few shipments about same 
time, crowding the fruit into quart boxes in 6-gallon cases — a 
very poor package to use or sell. 

A week later, July 15th, Hartford's were quoted at 5c. 
per pound; Ives, 7 to 8c; Concords, first receipts, 10c— the 
majority of the receipts in one-third bushel boxes. Delawares 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 31 

appear about this time and sell at 12c. per pound. On the 1st of 
August, we fin&Delawares selling at 10 to 13c. per pound ; Hart- 
ford's, 4c. ; Ives, 6 to 7c. ; Concords, 7 to Sc. ; Martha, 6 to 8c, 
and the receipts are mainly in ten pound baskets, a much more 
desirable package, but selling on the above basis and gross 
weight. At this time and later on, all kinds of packages are 
coming. About the 15th of August, when the market is lowest 
of the season, broken down rather by the poor quality than 
quantity coming, mainly local growth, the quotations are: 
Hartford, 2c. ; Ives, 3c. ; Concords, 3 to 5c. ; Delaware, 10 to 12c. ; 
Martha, 5 to 6c. ; Goethe, 6 to 8c. ; Elvira, 7 to 9c. The markets 
remain about this way a week or so, and after that time begins to 
improve. The Virginia Seedling is the last variety to appear 
here— selling mainly to the wine-makers at 4 to 5c. per pound. 
When the local supply is nearly exhausted, Ohio begins, and 
New York soon afterwards. The receipts from this vicinity and 
southward last year, disclosed the poorest packing we have 
witnessed for years. They were cut off the vines and packed 
regardless of their condition. Now permit us to say, only fully 
colored or ripe grapes should be shipped. Cut off the green, 
rotten, shriveled, dried, or otherwise imperfect fruit. All should 
be cut out carefully with a pair of scissors before packed. The 
regular ten-pound basket, that used by the New York and Ohio 
grape growers, is the package that should be universally used. 

To Southern shippers we will say that grapes come in good 
order also, in one-third bushel boxes, when properly packed. If 
loosely packed, or in such a manner that any of the grapes can 



32 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

be displaced or moved while in transit, they will not reach here 
in good shape. The bunches should be laid in carefully, in rows 
like peaches. At the top let the cover press down sufficiently to 
hold firmly all the bunches in their places. When the cover is 
removed on arrival here no stems should be in sight, only a 
smooth surface of grapes should appear. In packing let the 
stems be downward. The fruit should be handled as little as 
possible, so as to protect the bloom that covers the grape. 
Packing in quart-boxes, in six-gallon cases, should be avoided. 
The fruit has to be handled too much, and the bunches are not 
such size as will fill the boxes to advantage. Five to ten- 
pound boxes in crates or frames might also be used, but the 
basket is the proper package for the grape, and early in the 
season, long before needed, correspond with some leading estab- 
lishment, such as the one at Cobden, Illinois, whose card appears 
elsewhere, and ascertain the kinds offered and costs of same. 
We repeat, you have a long and profitable season in all the West- 
ern markets before you are disturbed by competition. The 
keeping qualities of the grape is one of the important features 
to consider. The Ohio and New York grape shippers can hold 
their grapes in buildings prepared for that purposes— cold 
storage apartments, etc— three to six weeks, or until a better 
market appears, and then ship when the best prices prevail. 
We have Catawba grapes in this market to-day, February 28th. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 33 

PEACHES 

Are becoming more important each year as a crop to Southern 
fruit growers. Thousands of acres in most of the Southern 
States, more especially in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, 
Northern Louisiana and Northern Texas, are eminently adapted 
to peach growing. 

The business has undergone a revolution the past few years. 
Five or six years ago the culture of early sorts only was 
considered south of this latitude, especially in Arkansas and 
Tennessee, and many large orchards were planted about that 
time; the obnoxious and unprofitable Hale's Early figuring 
extensively in the selected list. Three and four years ago the 
earliest sorts not only failed to pay, but in many cases it would 
have paid the grower to let them rot on the trees or under them. 
Still the shippers thought they would give them another chance, 
but experience with these earliest varieties three years ago was 
bad enough to condemn every tree. It is safe to say, that more 
than half the shipments were consumed by the express charges. 
A rooting out of these very early sorts followed to a beneficial 
extent, and the past two seasons showed the wisdom of the 
step, in the lighter receipts and better prices resulting. 

It will be seen, then, that the former plan will have to be 
reversed, as it is the medium to late varieties that pay best now. 
The Troth's Early, or the season of its ripening, is early enough, 
and those varieties maturing before that, rarely pay. They are 
entirely too perishable in their character, and warm, rainy, 



34 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

cloudy weather affects their appearance in a few hours, and the 
shaking up they get by the many handlings they are necessarily 
subject to, assists in rendering them unsightly if not unsal- 
able in a short time. 

A few years ago, when Missouri and Illinois were growing 
far more peaches than they are now, they were the great com- 
petitors of the more southern shippers, and the Arkansas, Texas, 
Tennessee and Kentucky growers realized that their only hope 
was in early shipments— since the advantages of the season, or 
earliness in maturing, gave them the field for at least several 
weeks, and, hence, the great fields of early sorts. Now that Mis- 
souri has had five successive failures of the crop, and Illinois only 
two small crops in five years, they are almost out of the race, for 
not only have the buds been killed each year, but many of 
the trees were ruined also by the severity of the weather, and 
very few orchards or trees were planted to take their place. 
The outlook, therefore, is very bright for the more southern 
shippers ; they must abandon the idea of growing the earliest 
kinds, however. 

In regard to varieties it is very difficult to arrange a list to 
suit such a wide range of territory, so we will not attempt to 
name one.. A list in Southern Illinois may not meet the approval 
of a Texas or Mississippi grower, and Arkansas might select a 
list differing from that needed in any other State. There is one 
variety that has found general favor in the South, and that is the 
Chinese Cling. We think it has received more attention than it 
merits. It generally lacks color and is too subject to decay— seri- 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS, 35 

<ous objections. The bulk of the receipts are of a greenish color. 
They have size, a desirable feature, but that is about the best 
thing that can be said for them. The finest fruit of this variety 
comes from Texas, being not only large, but finely colored and 
generally sound, and bring a fine price. 

The following list embraces ten first-rate varieties, ripening 
in this vicinity, in the order named, from first of August to end 
of October, — nearly three months. A majority of them mature 
in September. Mountain Rose, Crawford's Late, Reeve's Favorite, 
Freeman's Late, Old Mixon Free, Lemon Cling, Susquehanna, Stump 
the World, Ward's Late, Heath Cling. 

The first receipts of the season last year arrived on the 20th 
of May from Texas, and sold from $2.00 to $3.00 per box, accord- 
ing to quality— regular peach boxes, one-third bushel. Receipts 
continued light for several days thereafter, and a good maDy of 
them too green and poor to sell to advantage. On the 25th to 
30th of May, more liberal receipts, embracing from fair to poor, 
green, etc., and the figures 50c. to $1.50 per box— a few going for 
•express charges — hard, green, specked, etc. May 28th, Arkansas 
receipts are quoted, the prices a trifle higher than the average 
Texas receipts. The first week in June, a good many are coming, 
" it would pay better to keep at home." The prices paid are 25c. 
to $1.00 per box, bulk sales 25c to 50c, receipts mainly from Arkan- 
sas and Texas— Mississippi shipping a few. June 6th to 12th. 
The most of the fruit is coming from Arkansas. Considerable of it 
too green and small, and the figures 50c. to 80c. per box. Texas 
is shipping some very poor fruit at this time, also small, green 



36 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

and bnrd, and averaging but little above the express charges— too- 
many specked ones being among the receipts — the Hale's Early 
being in especially bad condition through decay, elc. The 10th 
to the 12th, the first receipts from Southern Illinois, Tennessee, 
Kentucky, and Southeast Missouri, are noted, and prices 50c. to 
$ 1 .00 per box, while the Crawford's have j ust appeared from Texas 
and are selling at $1.25 to $1.50 per box, and eagerly sought 
for. 

The 15th to 20th of June, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri 
receipts quoted 50c. to 75c. per box. Arkansas and Tennessee 
about same price, while Texas with later and better fruit, is 
quoted 60c. to $1.50 per box, according to quality, condi- 
tion, etc. 

For the next ten days there is scarcely any change to note. 
July 1st, the market quotations are : Texas, EOc. to $1.35; Illi- 
nois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee, from 50c. to 
75c. per box. A good many peck boxes coming from Texas, and 
proportionately lower than the foregoing. First week in July, 
weather hot and unfavorable, and considerable Texas stock 
arriving specked, and selling at 60c. to 75c. per box for the best 
varieties. July 10th to 20th, Texas peaches sold at 50c. to $1.25; 
a majority of them clings, and selling from 10c. to 20c. per box 
lower than the freestones. The receipts for Illinois, Missouri, 
Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas, 50c. to 90c. per box. July 
25th to August 1st, Texas clings sold at 50c. to 85c. ; freestones, 
65c. to $1.10. Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois and Missouri, 50c. to 
80c. per box. August 1st to 10th, Texas stock falling off; very 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 37 

little coming after this time— prices mainly 60c. to $1.00 per box, 
but later and better varieties are coming from other States, and 
prices are 50c. to $1.00 per box. 

After the middle of August, the bulk of the receipts are from 
Illinois. Nice stock generally, and prices are 75c. to $1.00 per 
box up to 1st of September, when Michigan commences, with 
nice fruit, packed in very neat peck baskets, which finds ready 
sale at 50c. to 75c. per basket. During September, Illinois and 
Michigan furnish most of the offerings, and the Southern ship- 
per is no longer interested in the course of the market, but prices 
gradually improve after the above dates. During the season 
Northern Louisiana made several shipments, but generally did 
better in the large Texas towns— so much nearer home. The 
■Chinese cling came regularly from the South, but Texas, where 
it coii-rs up finely, is the only State where we would advocate its 
cultivation. 

One-third bushel boxes should always be used. In packing, 
set the box on the edge (not on the flat), place the fruit in rows 
along the edge of the box and fill up carefully. Let the cover 
press lightly on the fruit in nailing it on. When the package is 
in good shipping order, unbroken rows will appear at all the 
openings and not a peach can move. We invite the attention of 
our readers once more to remarks on packing fruit. 

All fruits packed in one-third bushel boxes should be handled 
and packed in the same manner as peaches, always setting the 
box on the edge when starting to fill. 



33 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

PEARS. 

The pear crop of the West and South was small the past two* 
years. We had to look Eastward for part of our supplies. West- 
ern New York, the greatest apple and pear growing region in the 
United States, shipped pears by the car load to Western markets, 
many of them going to Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, 
Kansas City, Omaha, Denver, etc. In every shipment the Bart- 
lett predominated, being a prime favorite in all the Northern and 
Western markets. It must be admitted, however, that the pear 
crop of the South was very light, at least, this market remained 
almost barren of the Southern product. The Illinois and the 
Missouri yield was quite liberal during August and September, 
and prices went lower than the previous years. I do not believe 
that the pear in the West and South has had yet a fair chance to 
show what it is capable of yielding in the way of profits to the 
cultivator. The greatest trouble is the little care or labor 
bestowed on the orchards, or few trees planted. Neglect is the 
main cause why Western markets are so poorly supplied with the 
native or local growth. Bartletts, Duchesse, Seckel, Louis 
Bonne, White Doyenne, Clapp's Favorite, Flemish Beauty, 
Lawrence, etc., are the best known varieties in this market. 

The LeConte, the new favorite in the South, has been more 
widely discussed than any new variety that has appeared the 
past fifteen years. It appears to flourish in the Southern States, 
almost, if not quite, free from the Blight, a most important 
advantage. Here is how J. J. Thomas, very eminent authority,. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 39 

describes it : " Large, yellow, moderate in quality ; exc edingly 
productive, vigorous and productive at the South ; of no value 
North. Season midsummer." The Kieffer, another new candi- 
date, has received a great deal of public attention the past few 
years, but it is generally admitted that in quality it is far inferior 
to the LeConte. Here is the description: ".Rather large, oval, 
contracted towards stem and crown; rich yellow, tinged with 
red ; flesh, varying from coarse to fine, and from good ro quite 
poor in quality ; good for canning ; tree vigorous and very pro- 
ductive." The Kieffer, it is claimed, is remarkably free also from 
the Blight, the great enemy of most pear orchards. We received 
some of the LeConte from Texas last summer. They came 
nicely packed in peck boxes ; fruit large, greenish, not colored, 
having been gathered a little too soon. It sold readily at $1.00 
per box or $4.00 per bushel, a good price, condition considered. 

The first receipts were from Mississippi, about the loth June, 
and sold at $1.25 to $1.50 a box, and for two weeks afterwards 
receipts were quite meager and prices $1.00 to $1 .25 a box. About 
1st July home-grown appeared and sold at $2.00 to $3.00 a 
bushel. Receipts continued light thereafter for two weeks and 
prices declined but very little, except for the small hard sugar 
pear, which sold at 50c. to 65c. a box. August 1st, Bartletts are 
quoted 70c. to 80c. a box and other varieties 40c. to 65c. according 
to quality. The first fifteen days in August showed lower prices 
by ten cents a box. Early in September Eastern receipts 
appeared by the car load and, coupled with home-grown crop, 
caused the lowest prices of the season. Bartlett being quoted 



40 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

at 50c. to 60c. a box and other varieties 40c. to 50c— the 
latter for Duchesse. At this time, or rather from middle of Au- 
gust to middle of September, cold storage is the place to put pears, 
for October always shows a big advance — nearly double the 
prices of a month previous. Several parties both in Illinois and 
Missouri stored very profitably about that time last year. The 
cost of doing so— 60c. to 75c. a barrel— is not much compared to 
the advantages derived. Should be stored on^y in barre's, and 
full ripe fruit should not be packed, as it will not keep, but 
injure the others while stored. 

The pear is a rich, luxurious fruit when grown to perfection 
or properly matured, and is marked for its great delicacy, juicy 
textures and delightful flavor. It is, of course, a favorite with 
the public for its many excellent qualities. The pear properly 
managed is an excellent shipper. It should be packed in the 
regular peach box, but when the business is conducted on a more 
extensive scale, as it is in the East, the barrel is the most econom- 
ical for general use. They should be gathered when full grown, 
but before they are fully colored. Do not wait till they get 
mellow, as that desirable condition will be reached while the 
fruit is in transit, or while in the hands of the commission mer- 
chants awaiting a purchaser, or while being re-shipped to other 
points. The supply in this vicinity appears to be declining 
instead of increasing with the growing demand, a fact which 
opens a wider and more inviting field to Southern shippers. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS 41 

PLUMS 

Are really an important crop to Southern shippers. The plum 
business has been largely experimented so far, and the efforts of 
cultivators have been confined mainly to the Wild Goose and 
Chickasaw, the latter a well-known variety which grows in a 
wild state everywhere South of this latitude. Both make excel- 
lent preserves, and are purchased largely for this purpose, espe- 
cially by the preserving establishments here. A good many, 
however, hold off before purchasing until the crop from this 
County (which is generally very large of the Chickasaw) comes 
in and then buy all required, the prices being at such times the 
lowest of the season. The Wild Goose is a large showy fruit 
that finds favor with all buyers. Excellent for either table pur- 
poses, retail dealers, or for preserving purposes. It is purchased 
for a variety of purposes, and the prices are generally remuner- 
ative, and up to four years ago averaged very high ; but a more 
general cultivation of it led to a greater abundance and lower 
prices the following two years. Last year, however, the crop 
was the lightest for several years, especially of the Wild Goose 
variety. The Wild Goose seems to succeed everwhere south of 
St. Louis. Last year Tennessee, Arkansas and Northern Texas 
shipped some that attracted a great deal of attention on account 
of their size and fine rich color. 

The first receipts are usually from Texas from the middle of 
May to 1st of June. Mississippi and Arkansas soon follow. 
Last year's first shipment was on the 15th of May, Texas 



42 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

Chickasaw, and sold at $1.00 a box. Receipts light for ten day& 
following, quotations being 50c. to 75c. a box and about $2.00 a 
case 24-quarts. Wild Goose variety did not appear until towards 
the first of June, when it sold for $1.00 a box, and the Chickasaw 
suddenly declined to 40c. to 50c. a box. June 15th to 20th Chick- 
asaw 40c. to 50c. and Wild Goose 70c to 90c a box. July 1st 
Chickasaw 30c. to 40c. a box and Wild Goose 50c to 65c. Home- 
grown appear about this time and there is little profit to outside 
shippers after this. However, Southern growers are usually 
done shipping by this time, if not before, and Southern Illinois 
follows next, and it is unnecessary to follow the course of the 
market further. Six-gallon cases, or strawberry packages, 
are the best to use, though the regular one-third bushel box 
brings the fruit here very successfully if gathered just at 
the proper time— and none too ripe put in. A few soft, 
or too ripe, soon make a bad looking mess of the whole 
contents of the box. When shipping by freight, gather 
when full-grown, before coloring sets in, but if by express let 
them remain on the trees a little longer. A good many arrive 
too ripe. Many are wanted for re-shipment, hence the impor- 
tance of shipping before coloring up. They ripen rapidly while 
in transit, and full ripe fruit should not be shipped, as a few 
of them sometimes spoil the sale of the package. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 43 

APPLES. 

Were we not writing for Southern growers and shippers we 
should open our subject with what Downing calls " the world- 
renowned fruit of temperate climates," the apple. Apples, both 
dried, green and evaporated, are shipped as regularly to Europe, 
as our surplus wheat and other products, and the American 
apple is steadily growing in favor and popularity in the prin- 
cipal foreign markets. The Southern shippers are interested 
most in the earliest varieties, such as the Red June, Early Haia- 
vest and Red Astrachan, which appear early enough to find our 
market almost bare. The later varieties, too, should be grown, 
at least to some extent for local and family wants, if nothing 
more. Being entirely hardy, producing a crop every year, and 
thriving with very little care, they can be successfully grown by 
the most inexperienced. The northern portion of Arkansas is a 
magnificent fruit region, especially Benton and Washington 
Counties, which are as far south as we know of profitable 
orchards, though we are informed several fine apple orchards can 
be found further south in the State, especially adjacent to the 
Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad. West Tennessee, raises 
considerable apples for the early market. Kentucky and 
Southern Illinois are largely engaged in the business and con- 
tribute liberally to our market. The Red June is the most profit- 
able early variety coming in. The Early Harvest is earlier, but 
is lacking in color, so desirable an advantage. Apples Gan be 
had any month in the year, the old stock appearing regularly 



U SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

until the new crop comes in, and both can be found at the 
retailer's stand for a month afterwards. 

First receipts last season were on the 26th of May, one-third 
bushel boxes from Arkansas. They sold at 75c. per box— Early 
Harvest. First week in June, 40c. to 60c. per box. About the 
middle of June, Early Harvest, 40c to 50. ; Red June, 50c. to 75c. ; 
Red Astrachan, 50c. to 60c. 

By the first of July, market is full of new apples— boxes are 
entirely neglected, and selling at 15c. to 25c. — buyers seeking 
only good barreled stock for shipping purposes, which are 
quoted at $2.00 to $2.50. Good Red June higher, however, the 
boxes selling at 40c. to 50c. and the Astrachan next highest. 
Early Harvest, most abundant and cheap— mostly from local 
growers— with Southern Illinois next. The season may be said to 
be at its height for early varieties. A review of the season later 
would elicit little new or interesting to Southern shippers. 

We will say to Western growers that whenever Western 
New York has a crop it will not pay to store away for winter or 
spring sales, but when her off-year comes, there is some money 
generally in putting away good stock for late markets. The New 
York yield is enormous when it comes— usually flooding every 
market in the country, besides shipping considerable to Europe. 

Earliest shipments, when the market is comparatively bare 
and prices high, use one-third, half, or bu.boxes, and later, barrels. 

Now, in regard to packing : Do not fail to examine all your 
barrels carefully before packing. Tighten all the hoops, using the 
shortest nail possible on the bulge. Use liners always at top and 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 45 

bottom; do not try and be saving by using inferior barrels. 
The best are always the cheapest in the end. Apples should 
always be hand-picked, throwing out all bruised stock and 
windfalls. These qualities only depreciate the value of your 
mark and compel you to pay charges on something that has no 
value in any market. 

The facing is a nice part of the trade. Use the brighest and 
best shaped for this purpose, placing them two layers deep with 
stems downward. Use those only of an average size, represent- 
log the same as balance of contents, so that the buyers are not 
misled. Do not in any instance, make a facing that will lead the 
purchaser to suppose that an extra large quality is being sold 
him, when in reality he will have an inferior lot of stock outside 
of the few fancy facers. This kind of business is an injury to the 
house handling your goods, and your brand wll be condemned by 
the trade. After through facing, finish placing in the balance, 
by handling carefully in a small way, so as to avoid bruising. 
Shake the barrel often, so as to have them settle in solid. If 
intended for immediate shipment, head them up with a Screw 
Press, always neatly-have an experienced workman for this 
purpose-so that the barrel after being well packed, nicely sten- 
ciled, naming the variety, and well headed, shows up in good, 
neat shape for the market. 

Invariably mark the faced end or the one you want us to open 
for the purchaser. If you mark the wrong end it will lead to 
confusion and render it necessary to open every barrel to ascertain 
which is rightly and which is wrongly marked. The name of the 



46 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

firm you are shipping to, and the name or variety of apple, 
should be put on the head in every case, with stencil, if possible, 
but in its absence, with brush or lead pencil. Never leave your 
commission man or his customers in doubt as to what kind of 
apple the barrel contains, or which is the top or bottom. Ship- 
pers lose a good deal of money by failing to comply with these 
requirements. 



FIGS. 



Several years ago we used to get some small shipments of 
figs from Mississippi. None were received the past two years, 
and there is really little encouragement to offer shippers. For- 
mer receipts, however, sold at $1.00 to $1.25 per box (one- third 
bu.), but sales are limited, and we can urge only small shipments 
to this market. Quart boxes and strawberry crates are the most 
appropriate packages for shipping them. 



WATERMELONS. 
All the Southern States can grow the melon in the greatest 
abundance, and as very little skill, knowledge or experience is 
required, the business is not always profitable in shipping to dis- 
tant markets. The melons are so bulky, so large and heavy, that 
the cost of transportation becomes at once the first matter to 
consider in connection with their cultivation. Your location is 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 47 

also an important matter. You must be near a railroad station. 
As melons will not bear express charges, you must avail yourself 
of the fastest freight accessible. 

The first receipts are generally from Florida, Georgia or 
Texas and appear anywhere from the 10th June to 1st July. 
Texas usually raises a large crop, but rarely appears early enough 
in this market to secure early or high prices. Last season first 
car was from Georgia, getting in 10th June, and selling at $30.00 
per 100. Up to the 20th receipts were light and prices $20.00 to 
$30.00 per 100. About the 1st July receipts more liberal and 
prices $12.00 to $20.00 per 100. The Kolb Gem variety embraces 
such a large portion of the receipts that it is quoted separately 
every day. It is a prime favorite with buyers, and sold higher 
than anything else offered. July 6th to 10th Georgia melons are 
quoted $11.00 to $18.00 per 100, fancy large Florida stock $18.00 to 
$20.00 per 100. July 13th to 15th we find the market nearly bare, 
and Kolb Gem quoted at $30.00 to $32.00 per 100. Cars of Georgia 
selling on track for $240.00, and a car from Southeast Missouri— a 
famous melon growing region, shipped the first car of the season 
on the 14th July— partly green, small, for $140.00, on track. On the 
19th and 20th of July the principal receipts are from Southeast 
Missouri, and selling from $100.00 to $120.00 per car. At this time 
Texas is shipping— some of them apparently having just com- 
menced, and they sell for same price as Missouri stock— some 
lower— or for freight on the average. 

We can't understand why Texas, which is fully three 
to four weeks earlier than this latitude, should be so late 



48 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

getting into this market. Shippers must understand if they 
can't get here until this State commences to ship, they had better 
avoid this market. If they desire to get out of the melon busi- 
ness what it is capable of yielding, they must take some chances 
in getting their plants out early, and taking good care of them 
afterwards. There is no good excuse to offer for getting in so 
late. 

After this State gets thoroughly started, there is no room for 
more distant shippers. August the first, melons are quoted at 
$40.00 to $80.00 a car on the track. Later you are not interested 
in the course of the market. 

In packing, hay or straw, or similar packing material, should 
be spread over the bottom of the car. Thoroughly ventilated or 
cattle cars, should be used, the sides if open, protected against 
pilfering, by nailing planks on the inside or openings. Many 
melons are too ripe when shipped, and it is equally true many 
ship too soon, when the melons are far from full grown. 



CANTALOUPES. 

The supply within reach of this market the past two years 
was not large. They usually appear a week after the advent of 
melons, but the first receipts are eagerly sought and usually bring 
$2.00 to $2.50 per dozen for a short time ; after that, the price 
steadily declines, until car-load shipments are made, when they 
sell by the hundred, dropping as low as 3c. to 5c. each, some- 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 49 

times. Barrels (chipped or ventilated), boxes, crates, etc., will 
do for early shipments. The regular melon crate made for this 
purpose, holding from one to two dozen, according to size of 
melons, is the most appropriate. Put in no overripe, specked, 
bruised, damaged or faulty melons. Neither must they be 
picked too green or half grown. 

The first receipts last season appeared from Mississippi, on 
the 17th of June, and sold at $2.50 per crate. Arkansas com- 
menced on the 20th, selling at $2.00 per crate, at which the mar- 
ket remained for nearly two weeks. First week in July, quota- 
tions are $1.50 per crate, and most of the receipts from Arkansas. 
July 15th, Missouri growth is among the receipts, and prices are 
$1.00 to $1.50 per crate. After this date the prices steadily 
decline as home-grown receipts increase, until the 1st of August. 
We find them quoted at $3.00 to $6.00 per 100. White Japan, 
Bay View and Nutmeg, are the most favored varieties, in the 
order named. 

Most of the Mississippi receipts came through in good order, 
by through, or fast freight trains. If picked at the proper time, 
just when full grown, will stand two or three days easily. 




50 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 



/T^iseella^eous /T\att<^r5. 



ABOUT IRRESPONSIBLE HOUSES. 

There is no more appropriate place to devote a few lines to 
such a subject, and we cannot ignore the opportunity to offer a 
few words of explanation and caution under this head. Ship- 
pers are so situated that it is difficult for them to ascertain at 
short notice the standing or responsibility of certain firms, and 
the question rarely occurs to them, until they are ready to ship, 
or appealed to for business by some new firm they know nothing 
about. They occasionally receive a letter soliciting shipments, 
that is so alluring and tempting in character and make-up that 
some cannot resist it, and take the chances. You are told of the 
prices they can secure or guarantee you, the advantages they 
have over all other houses, and all the tricks to catch the unso- 
phisticated are resorted to and very often successfully. 

Now, fruit shippers must understand that every mercantile 
business has a certain number of adventurers, men who have 
everything to make and little to lose, and who some day after 
having secured the confidence, patronage, and funds of the con- 
fiding and unsuspecting class, disappear as suddenly and as 
unexpectedly as they appeared. The fruit commission business, 
we regret to say, is not free from this class any more than any 
other calling, and never will be, and hence the importance of 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 51 

intrusting your business to well-known, experienced and long 
established firms, for if you cannot do well with such houses, 
what show will you have with a different class ? In every large 
city a few of such firms are apt to come to the front, making 
their advent with the first arrival of fruits, and too often, when 
the fruit season is over and no more to be made, they go down 
with the leaves in the fall. You are surprised how they got your 
address. This is simple enough, as they can be secured from the 
packages in front of the commission houses, or at the express 
offices every day. We know of a great many fruit shippers who 
will appreciate the force and wisdom of the foregoing remarks, 
but we are writing for the benefit of the less experienced, that 
they may avoid the expensive experiments of others and profit 
by their experience. These remarks will apply with equal force 
to all markets as well as St. Louis, and this little volume repre- 
sents so many of them that our friends will patronize, that we urge 
the greatest caution, since few shippers are in circumstances to 
stand the losses frequently arising from shipping indiscriminately. 



ABOUT COMMISSIONS. 
The inexperienced shipper often objects to ten per cent, com- 
mission, the universal charge in all the principal cities, by firms 
making a specialty of such products. There is, perhaps, no business 
requiring so much stationery, writing, stamps, stencils, drumming 
expenses and preparatory work as ours, and to do justice to these 
very perishable products, you can really attend to nothing else 



52 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

while they are coming in. As a matter of fact, no merchant gets 
ten per cent, for selling the goods, for fully five is consumed in 
the cost of soliciting, whether by local agent or travelkig man, 
coupled with the cost of stencils, reports, etc. It would be much 
easier and more profitable to sell other goods over which you 
need not be so exercised at five per cent. The most forcible 
argument, in favor of the justice and propriety of these rates of 
commissions, is the action of most of the oldest, largest and most 
experienced shippers, who will not ship to any firm who charges 
less, and at the end of the season the wisdom of their actions 
will be apparent. 



DIVIDING SHIPMENTS. 

Fruit growers frequently divide up their shipments too 
much. We have in our travels often seen shippers mark half a 
dozen packages to three or four houses. This is all wrong, and 
rarely pays as well as if shipped to only one or two houses. The 
same labor and amount of book-keeping is required to record and 
report these little shipments, as large ones, increasing the oppor- 
tunities to make mistakes at each end of the line, giving as it 
does double work to express agents at both ends of the line, fre- 
quently increasing the express charges, and requiring so many 
more reports from here, stationery, postage stamps, price cur- 
rents, etc. All of which go to show the practice is ill-advised — 
doubling the labor to all concerned without any benefit in return. 

The most difficult man to satisfy is the new shipper. He 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 53 

expects too much generally. He has an idea that you await, with 
some anxiety the arrival of his shipment, also a number of your 
customers. He will expect a long letter giving the full details of 
its condition, etc.; what it brought; and if the returns fail to 
come up to those of any of his neighbors, you have made an 
enemy in most cases, and he is ripe for a change and an easy 
prey to the first drummer that comes along. An explanation, if 
you have time to make such, rarely satisfies him. The commis- 
sion house soliciting the new shipper will find a number hard to 
please; we know this from long experience. And as shippers 
and receivers are looking for all the information they can acquire, 
we are reserving nothing through selfish or other motives from 
either party in this work. 



SOME POPULAR ERRORS. 

The belief prevails widely that fruit commission merchants 
are rich, have an easy way of making money, and steadily adding 
to their wealth at the expense of the shipper; that they are in a 
safe business and should never fail. This is a rosy picture and 
we wish it was only half true. Then, reader, let me tell you, 
they are not rich, and it can be said with the greatest truth they 
are not in the right sort of business to become rich, or even in 
easy circumstances! There is not one of them, in this city at 
least, practicing anything but economical habits either in living 
or conducting business, and they are remaining in the trade in 



54 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

the hope that the future will prove more profitable than the past. 
In the hot contest for existence in commercial life now, the man 
who succeeds in meeting his current expenses and bills promptly 
is exceedingly fortunate, and the firms that have a little balance 
on the right side at the end of the year are few— exceptional in 
fact. There are some commission houses who have made some 
money the past ten years and who still hold it, but none of it 
accumulated from handling fruits and vegetables on commission. 
It has been the result of lucky ventures or speculation in other 
directions. No firm in this line of business can live solely on 
consignments of fruit, etc. All must handle other products at 
least six months in the year, for the fruit season pays expenses 
only while it lasts— no longer. 

The commission man suffers from bad debts, as all others do, 
for two-thirds of his sales are charged up, and no matter how 
many bills he loses, the shippers must be paid for the goods. If 
all were sold for cash the receiver would have to take a great deal 
less for his goods, and the shipper would as a result get smaller 
returns. The seller, in his anxiety to please the shipper, beats his 
rivals and build up his business, often takes chances in this way 
he afterwards regrets. Many years ago when the force of com- 
petition was not felt so keenly, there was more to be said in favor 
of the business, and no less inviting field exists at present for a 
man desiring to go into business. Many have tried it here and 
elsewhere of late years to their sorrow. They found trying to do 
a paying business competing with old established and long ex- 
perienced firms next to impossible; that not only considerable 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 55 

money but also a wide experience was essential to success in the 
undertaking, and that it required several years to even secure a 
paying patronage. We have in our long experience seen so 
many young men, generally off-shoots of old firms, start out full 
of hope and soon after find oblivion, that we are competent to 
w T rite at length on the subject, and hint advisedly in the fore- 
going remarks. 



THE DRUMMING QUESTION, 

Is one of the most provoking to the receivers as well as ship- 
pers. It imposes on the commission men a heavy tax they have 
in vain sought to avoid. At fruit-growers' conventions and 
meetings, the subject comes up for discussion occasionally, and 
resolutions adopted, setting forth, that houses hiring drummers 
or local solicitors, will not be patronized, etc. It is equally true, 
that later or before the first case of strawberries is ready, it 
takes only the eloquence of the average drummer to secure it for 
his house, and the foregoing resolutions, subscribed to by the 
shipper, wholly ignored. When the season is fairly under way 
the best solicitor or talker, no matter how poor or irresponsible 
his house may be, usually succeeds in getting the most, at least 
for a while, until the returns begin to come in, when he can be 
found equally industrious at other points, and thus while work- 
ing up a fine business keeps out of the reach of disappointed 
shippers. . 



56 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

The result is, every Arm, n© matter bow old, reliable, or re- 
sponsible, or how good figures it can secure, will get left unless it 
has a man on the grounds to fight for his share. Thus, in self-de- 
fence, he is forced to hire a .solicitor and place him where the 
shipper says (at the meetings) he is not wanted. So the shipper 
after all, creates the evil he complains of, and sustains it. 



RECEIVERS UNJUSTLY BLAMED. 

As a sample of how commission men can be unjustly censured, 
we will relate a little experience of our own which occurred last 
fall : One of our Missouri apple shippers, whom we esteem very 
much for his liberal patronage, made a shipment which we 
reported same day received — as in bad order, slack barrels, 
specks, faulty fruit and bad packing generally. Next day, on 
receipt of the letter, he replied, we were certainly mistaken, that 
it was not his fruit we were writing about, etc. We telegraphed 
him to come down on first train, and if we were wrong would 
pay the expenses of the trip, and if he was wrong, he could do 
so— an offer he accepted. We showed him his fruit, which he ad- 
mitted was his, opened some barrels not yet touched, and found 
them about same as those complained of. He expressed a great 
deal of surprise at its condition and how it depreciated in value 
in such a short time. He saw then very forcibly the result of 
rough handling of fruit which should be carefully hand-picked, 
and the poor economy in hiring cheap, green hands for the 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 57 

picking and packing of his apples. He admitted the fault lay 
chiefly with the help, who did not follow his instructions in 
packing. His trip paid him and ourselves too. 



YOU CHARGED ME TOO MUCH! 
Every receiver has this charge frequently thrown at him by 
more or less angry shippers, whenever the railroad company or 
express company makes a mistake or overcharge. Now, we 
have nothing more to do with the making of these charges than 
the man in the moon. We have to pay whatever the express 
company or railroad company demands, and if there is anything, 
file our claim, which is investigated and straightened out after- 
wards. 



SLOW RETURNS 

Arise from various causes. Packages come in occasionally with 
no mark visible to indicate who the shipper is— the tag or card 
torn off. If no advice by mail, the receiver has to wait until he 
hears from the shipper. The importance of advice by mail is 
manifest here, or better still, placing in package a slip or card 
showing your address and contents, or call for a stencil which we 
will mail free for marking. 

When goods come by freight, the most provoking delay is 
that caused by the railroad companies centering on the east side 



5S SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

of the river. All lots smaller than car loads are turned over to 
transfer company on arrival. They deliver the goods, but the 
freight bill never shows up for about three days. The transfer 
company is never prompt collecting these bills, as they should 
be, to enable us to report promptly. The railroad companies on 
arrival of goods turn them over with freight bill to the transfer 
company, and the transfer charges are added to the regular rail- 
road bills— an extra charge that is not understood nor figured ob, 
by many shippers— and letters of explanation in regard to these 
charges are often called for. 



HINTS TO SHIPPERS. 

A number of shippers, the new ones especially, when they 
receive a stencil, regard the number on it as the street number of 
the firm sending it out. This number really represents the ship- 
per's address— being placed in the books opposite his name as 
soon as sent out. His address on the package in addition to 
stencil number is therefore superfluous. 

The stenciling should be on the cover of the package,, 
serving as it does, to keep the right side up. Such packages as 
strawberry cases should also be branded on both ends. 

If you have no stencil, a lead pencil can be used to write the 
firm's address, and your own should follow, writing the word 
from between them, 

A shipper frequently borrows his neighbor's stencil, and 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 5£ _ 

uses it without notifying his commission house. You can see 
how this will complicate matters. Your neighbor will get the 
returns, and if he refuses to settle with you the commission 
house must pay twice or incur your everlasting displeasure. 

If there are any empty boxes in a crate, always make lead 
pencil note of same on cover; and if two or three varieties are 
in same package, as is sometimes the case, indicate it in the 
same way. 

In the midst of the fruit season every commission house is 
driven to death, and has no time to either write or ask for expla- 
nations. If you do not hear from your shipment promptly, you 
may consider something is wrong; so send in a few lines, asking 
and giving explanation in connection therewith. 

When shipping by freight always notify consignee by sending 
receipts or otherwise. 

Never use large or irregular nails for fruit boxes or crates ; 
such spoil the appearance of the package and injure the sale. 

A common error by shippers is that of waiting too long be- 
fore ordering their fruit boxes. They are often detained on the 
way, and frequently the box factory is crowded with orders and 
you must wait, and your fruit is spoiling in the meantime. 

The cost of stencils is quite an item to commission merchants— 
those with your address 15c. to 20c. each, the numbered ones oc^ 
to 10c. each; so do not destroy or lose them. Some shippers call 
for new ones every year, as if they cost nothing. 

Whenever practical, fruit should be shipped at night or in the 
evening, getting in this way the benefit of the cool atmosphere 



60 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

while in transit. Getting to our market in the morning, early 
as possible, is also an important consideration. 

Saturday is always the poorest day in the week to sell to ad- 
vantage, as few shipments are made on that day. Friday is the 
best day in the week— the shipments on that day being heaviest. 

Avoid as far as possible getting goods into market on Sunday 
morning. They will keep much better in the country than in the 
city. Monday morning the market is usually bare, and Sunday 
night shipments strike a good market generally. 



TRANSPORTATION CHARGES. 

This is a very important subject to the fruit grower, espe- 
cially if he is an extensive shipper. The cost of transportation 
has materially checked the cultivation of fruits and vegetables 
in many sections where all other conditions were favorable to the 
enterprise. Express rates in some instances amount to a prohi- 
bition, where there are no competing lines or companies. Take 
certain shipping points in Southwest Missouri for instance, 
where it costs much more to market fruits than it costs a large 
number of the Arkansas shippers situated on the St. Louis, Iron 
Mountain & Southern Railroad, much further from our market. 
The result of a lively competition is nowhere more manifest 
than on a railroad, in the matter of rates. 

Special Rates can always be had on, perishable goods from 
the express companies. New shippers, located at new points, 
where special rates are not established, should avail themselves 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 61 

of this advantage, and ascertain the lowest rates they can secure 
before they commence shipping. There is a marked difference 
between* special and regular rates. The Florida shippers, for 
instance, have this season from $3.00 to $3.75 per 100 special rates, 
while the regular is $5.00 to $6.00 to this city. 



DRIED AND EVAPORATED FRUITS 
We handle regularly, and our shippers can rely on getting at all 
times the best figures the market affords. Barrels are the most 
appropriate packages, although sacks and boxes can also be 
used. This latitude being much earlier that the more Eastern 
States, where most of the dried and evaporated fruit comes from, 
as well as the green fruit, shippers will find it to their advantage 
to ship as soon as ready for market, and not wait until compe- 
tition springs from points further East. New York State, which 
furnishes three-fourths of the evaporated fruit of the country, finds 
St. Louis a profitable market; and as your climate places you 
several weeks earlier in the market, you should profit by 
this pportunity to sell while the markets are comparatively bare. 



TO SHIPPERS OF DRIED FRUITS. 
Apples should be carefully peeled and cored, then sliced or 
quartered, placed upon frames and dried in a gentle heat. 
Gnarly or wormy apples should be thrown aside, or such places 
carefully cut out. Peaches may be dried either peeled or 
unpeeled. They sell best if cut in halves. Cherries must be 
pitted, and to bring good prices they must be very dry, entirely 



■62 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

unmixed with sugar. Black raspberries and blackberries are 
dried whole, and care must be taken that they are not crushed 
and broken. Apples and peaches, to bring best prices, must be 
bright and light-colored ; to secure this, they must be dried in a 
■dry air. The atmosphere is often so charged with moisture, even 
in sunshine, that it absorbs more moisture very slowly. Such an 
atmosphere is very unfavorable to the drying of fruit, the juice 
evaporating so slowly that it decays and darkens the color. Those 
who cannot construct drying houses should prepare and dry their 
fruit upon days when the air is very dry only, out-of-doors, or else 
in-doors in a gentle fire heat and current of air. Apples on 
strings are objectionable. If dried on strings, these should be 
removed before the apples are packed. 



EVAPORATING. 

Bleaching is done by exposing the fruit in a wooden box or 
special machine, to sulphur fumes. The sooner the bleaching is 
done after the apples are cut the better. Caution is necessary 
not to overbleach the fruit and cause it to both taste and smell 
of sulphur. In different establishments the heat of the evapora- 
tor varies from 95 degs. to 175 degs. Fahrenheit. The fruit must 
remain in from two to five hours, according to the heat of the 
air in the evaporator. One bushel of apples is estimated to 
.make from five to seven pounds of dried fruit. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 63 

BREAKING DOWN THE MARKET. 
Remember the market is never broken down by good fruit. 
It is the great quantity of poor fruit that oppresses the market 
and forces down prices. We are as interested in sustaining the 
market and prices as you are, because when prices are away 
<iown we get nothing for our labor, and hence we urge more 
good stock and less poor and indifferent stuff. How much more 
profitable and satisfactory to get $20.00 net proceeds for ten 
packages fruit, than to get only the same sum for twenty pack- 
ages. You are out the packages, labor, etc., and the express 
companies only have profited by the enterprise. This is a fair 
illustration of the case, no matter what you ship. 



CANNING FACTORIES' ADVANTAGES. 
A canning factory is a more important adjunct in connection 
with truck-farming than can be seen at first glance. In any 
town where the business is conducted to any extent, it becomes 
a paying institution in a two-fold sense. Say there are twenty 
merchants who will contribute $150 each. This $3,000 will fur- 
nish all the machinery, or plant necessary to do a large business. 
As the canning is conducted during the summer any cheap struc- 
ture will do for a building. One hundred hands, women and 
girls, can be profitably employed for several months, in such a 
concern, and it is safe to say the bulk of the earnings of this one 
hundred go right into the hands, or business, of the twenty 



64 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

merchants who invested in the project, and even if they lost the 
principal, the increased income, business and population result- 
ing from the erection of the cannery would be largely beneficial 
to all concerned. 

It should be added that the new man casting about for a 
location to embark in the business cannot but regard this 
factory as a promising and encouraging auxiliary, since he 
is assured about first cost for that portion of his products it 
may not pay to ship. A good deal more might in justice be 
said in favor of the project. 

Tomatoes, corn and peas are the staples in the vegetable 
line, and strawberries, peaches, plums, etc., in the fruit line. 

Next in importance would be a box factory, which could be 
secured at a similar cost, and most of what has been said in favor 
of the canning establishment will apply here. 

Crystal Springs, Mississippi, concluded to erect both such 
establishments this spring, and the result has been a regular 
boom, and quite an increase to the population of the town. 



COLD STORAGE 
Is an important subject to many fruit growers. The man who has 
access to such an establishment can occasionally use it to good 
advantage in tiding over crowded markets and low prices. 
Apples, pears, grapes, etc., are fruits that can often be profit- 
ably stored. In putting away fine specimens, or lots of any kind 
fruits for fairs or exhibition purposes, the right kind of eold 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 65 

storage becomes an iniportant help. St. Louis has been for 
years sadly in need of a first-class establishment of this char- 
acter, but now has one, equipped with all the modern improve- 
ments and machinery essential to success, and any temperature 
from zero up can be furnished patrons at any time. See the 
firm's card in this work for further particulars, rate§, etc. 



REFRIGERATOR CARS. 

For some years we had an idea that the refrigerator car, 
properly managed, could carry fruit as perishable as strawber- 
ries and peaches to markets a thousand miles away. Impressed 
with this belief we concluded to try the experiment three years 
ago. When our home-grown berries were coming in freely, 
we purchased one day in the market 150 stands (four drawers, or 
two bushels to each stand), paying for the same $5.00 each, or 
$750 for the load; they were all good Wilsons. That same even- 
ing we saw our car started over the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy Railroad, bound for Denver. It was the first refrigerator 
loaded with berries that ever left this city for any destina- 
tion. We were compelled to prepay the freight on same, of $250. 
So to test our judgment in the project, we had to put $1,000 in 
jeopardy. The officials assured us they would take special care 
of this car along the route, and that the car would be regularly 
iced at the various points where such arrangement existed. 
However, we had not entire confidence in the promises made us, 



66 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

so sent our man along with the car to see that the ice did not run 
out between the icing stations, a most fortunate provision, as the 
sequel will show. The second night out, although up in Iowa, 
was exceedingly hot, and our man discovered that the ice was 
about gone, and the next stopping place far away. In the mean- 
time the rising temperature in the car threatened serious results, 
so, with the assistance of the train conductor, telegrams were 
sent ahead to have ice at the first stopping place. Being a through 
fast freight, few stops were made or allowed. The ice was 
secured as requested, and the car re-iced before any injury was 
inflicted on the fruit. The contents were duly received and 
delivered at store of consignee in fair order. The time involved 
between this city and Denver is usually sixty to seventy-two 
hours. 

West Tennessee and Southern Illinois have shipped to East- 
ern markets in the same way successfully we think. At each 
place, however, a cooling house has been built, where the fruit is 
thoroughly cooled off before loaded into a refrigerator car, and 
this is a very important and valuable auxiliary to those desiring 
to ship to distant markets. 

We had, three years ago, from Texas, several cars of peaches 
(refrigerators). The fruit, though out three to four days and 
nights, reached us in good order, and experienced, not only 
while in transit, but after arrival here, unusually hot weather, 
the bulk of the fruits selling at 70c to 75c per box. 

Contrary to the general belief the fruit did not melt down, or 
become discolored, after being exposed to the warm atmosphere 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 67 

We had some of the fruit on hand for one day additional, and still 
it looked well ; the whole lot selling to as good advantage, or 
nearly so, as if it had come by express. The varieties, however, 
were judiciously selected and gathered apparently at the proper 
time to stand three or four days' ride. They were partly 
Chinese clings, good size and color, and quite firm. The other 
varieties were composed of good, yellow, firm fruit, and none 
were really in bad order. The good judgment used in selecting 
and packing the fruit brought about in a measure the success 
retched. • 

The great danger in the use of refrigerator cars is the run- 
ning out of ice while in transit. The amount of ice required, 
depends largely on the weather. A quantity that would be 
ample for one week, may prove wholly inadequate the next week 
or previous week. While the usual supply provided by railroad 
companies may meet the average requirements, it will not do 
always as in the case of car we shipped to Denver, which might 
have been ruined had not our man been along to watch and pro- 
tect it. 



SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 



UHGEiPABLiES. 



The fine onions, potatoes and tomatoes that appear in the 
leading markets in January and February, the first receipts of 
the season, come from Bermuda, a small coral island in the 
ocean, or rather a series of islands strung together, embracing 
an area fifteen to sixteen miles long, by a mile to two miles wide, 
form the Bermuda island, which is situated several hundred 
miles east of Florida. The whole island is given to the cultiva- 
tion of these crops, the people, some sixteen thousand, relying 
on the outcome for a living. A feature of the business there is 
the law which compels every producer to put his name on every 
box or package, so that any crookedness or deception in packing 
can be traced to the proper party. The purchaser, therefore, 
never has to open more than one package to examine the goods. 
Onion growing is remunerative there, realizing about $400 per 
acre. They are put up in substantial boxes, holding fifty pounds 
each. Tomato growing there is equally profitable, securing the 
grower $400 to $500 per acre. They do not grow as large as 
those furnished from the States— the majority of them being 
below the average size. When about full grown and beginning 
to color up, they are gathered, wrapped in coarse brown paper, 
and packed in seven-quart boxes (generally considered pecks). 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 69 

The packages used there are thoroughly ventilated— the sides 
being composed of slats. The products of the island going into 
the States in such cold weather, hold up in good order four to 
eight weeks, and command high prices, having everywhere 
during the greater part of the time, no rivalry. Florida, how- 
ever, is only a few weeks behind with some of her products. The 
St. Louis markets, however, received but very little of such goods 
heretofore, as they found a cheap water route to the large popu- 
lous cities of the East, where a majority of them are consumed. 
New Orleans and vicinity are next heard from, and soon after- 
wards Southern Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, or sections of 
those States contiguous to the coast, commence shipping here. 
Florida products, however, made considerable of a display in 
our markets last spring, and will increase her shipments here in 
the future, encouraged by better railroad facilities and lower 
express and railroad rates. 



MOST PROFITABLE VEGETABLES. 

The staple or best paying vegetables for our market embrace 
•cabbage, Irish potatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes. 
Most ot the other vegetables consumed here are furnished very 
■early by the hundreds of gardeners in this vicinty— almost as 
soon as wanted, and we could not recommend the cultivation of 
anything else except in a very limited way. They are referred 
to further on in this work. 



70 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 



CABBAGE 
Can be found in our market steadily throughout the year, the old 
and new crop appearing side by side in February, March and 
April, and the price largely governed by the quantity of old 
cabbage on the market. The first receipts last year were from 
New Orleans, and sold at $5.50 per crate. The market was nearly 
bare at the time, and for several weeks previous to this, there 
was no cabbage here to speak of except the California stock, 
which was coming by the car-load and selling at 3c. to 4c. per 
pound. The prices slowly declined until the 12th to 15th of 
April, the quotations are $3.50 to $4.25 per crate, and receipts 
mainly from New Orleans and Mobile. From the 20th to the 
25th, prices of Louisiana receipts are $3.00 to $3.25, and Mobile, 
$3.50 to $4.00 per crate. The first week in May disclose no 
change— the figures being $3.00 to $4.00 per crate, according to 
quality, etc. May 15th to 18th, Louisiana, $2.25 to $3.25 per 
crate, and Mobile, $3.50 to $4.00 per crate ; 20th to 28th, price 
unchanged— $2.25 to $4.00 per crate. First June, home-grown, 
has appeared, and sells by the crate in shipping order at $4.00, 
with prices of Southern unchanged, owing to light receipts. 
June 6th to 10th, home-grown, $3.25 per crate, and shipments, 
$2.00 to $3.00 per crate. It is useless to pursue the course of the 
market later, since Southern shippers are no longer interested, 
nor would it be profitable after the 1st of June. The weather at 
this time is very hot, and considerable of the receipts in bad 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 71 

order, through decay, etc., especially where good judgment and 
proper precaution was not exercised in packing. 

As the weather grows warmer, greater care must be exer- 
cised. It should be nicely trimmed, and though a few more 
heads are necessary to fill the crate, the work will pay well. It 
must be tightly packed, for the natural shrinkage, especially in 
such weather, is very great, and no inferior, wilted, or damaged 
heads should be packed. 



CUCUMBERS. 

The first receipts appeared about the middle of February, and 
sold at $2.50 per dozen. Of course, sales are very limited at these 
figures. By the 25th, prices are down to $1.50, and on the 1st of 
March, $1.25 is the market, and receipts mainly from Florida 
and New Orleans. March 10th to 15th, 75c. to $1.00 per dozen, 
and a few days later, receipts are noted from Texas and Mobile. 
On the 1st of April, a portion of the receipts, so poor as to grade 
culls, are quoted at 50c. per dozen, and good to choice stock, at 
75c. to 90c. per dozen. 15th to 20th, owing to continued light 
receipts, prices choice are unchanged, but the majority of the 
receipts are now inferior and selling at 30c. to 50c. per dozen, 
with choice 90c. The first week in May, find the extreme range 
at 4Cc. to 75c. per dozen. May 12th to loth, 30c. to 5Cc. per dozen, 
the receipts from half-dozen Southern States. The home-grown 



72 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

appear about this time, and Southern growers are no longer inter- 
ested. 

Never ship a yellow, wilted, stale, overripe, stunted, or half- 
grown, or over-grown cucumber, unless you want to spoil the 
sale of all others. Ventilated boxes or barrels can be used in 
shipping. The Improved White Spine is the most extensively 
grown variety for commercial or shipping purposes. If they are 
cut instead of being pulled off the vine, both the cucumber and 
vine will be benefited thereby. 



GREEN PEAS 

Usually appear here the latter part of February or 1st of March, 
Last year first receipts were on the 3rd of March, 3-peck boxes, 
from New Orleans, and sold at $3.00 per box. March 6th to 10th, 
$2.25 to $2.50 per box ; 15th to 20th, Mobile receipts, $2.50 to $2.60 
per bushel box, and New Orleans, 3-peck boxes, $1.50 to $1.75. 
First of April. Mississippi and Alabama receipts, $2.50 per bushel 
box, and one-third bushel boxes, 90c. each. Weather at this 
time (frequent showers, etc.,) most unfavorable, and a por- 
tion of the receipts in very bad order, those not dry and 
cool as they should be when packed. 5th to the 10th, majority 
receipts from Mississippi, and the quotations, Mississippi 
$2.25 to $2 50 for bushel, and one-thirds 75c. to S0c, showing 
the smaller boxes most salable— being generally in better 
order— especially during unfavorable weather or delay in 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 73 

transit. New Orleans $1.50 to $2.00 per 3-peck boxes, and 
Alabama receipts, bushels, $2.00. About the 15th Arkansas is 
shipping and getting SOc. per one-third bushel box, and 
prices from the others show but very little decline. April 
20th, Mississippi receipts largely in bad order, the result of a 
prolonged drouth. Large boxes $1.25 to $1.75 and one-thirds 
40c. to 65c, according to condition, Arkansas 90c. to $1.00 for 
one-third bushel boxes. On the 25th to 1st May we find no 
change in figures. May 3rd to Sth, Arkansas 75c, Tennessee 
75c, Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri 85c The more 
Southern shipments in bad order and receipts falling off rapidly. 
Home-grown appear soon after this time, and the course of the 
market will not interest shippers much longer. 

Green peas are generally a profitable crop, for Southern 
growers, when properly handled. The importance of getting 
them here green and fresh, and in neat, ventilated boxes, one- 
third and one-half bushel boxes (the former preferred), cannot be 
too strongly urged. A number of these packages are re-shipped ; 
such bringing the best prices, but only the freshest and nicest 
looking stock, properly packed, go to this trade. Peas that are 
overripe, discolored or wilted, as some of the receipts appear, are 
almost unsalable in any market. Another great mistake is that 
of picking too soon, before half grown or half full. The past year 
a number of the boxes were poorly made, the openings frequently 
permitting the peas to drop out freely every time the box was 
moved. The peach box being generally used for this purpose, 
sufficient care was not exercised; though the same material, 



74 SO UTHERN FR UJTS A XD VEQE TA BLES 

properly split, will make a good pea box. They heat readily in> 
large packages, especially in barrels, sacks, or tight packages,, 
even when shipped by express. They should not be out over 
two days, or three days at most, though they cannot be 
regarded very green or fresh if on the way longer than twenty- 
four hours, in the warm weather usually prevailing at that time. 
In packing shake down thoroughly, and a little pressing 
down in nailing on the side piece or cover of the box won't hurt 
them. Have them as cool and dry as possible before packing,, 
to avoid heating. 



STRING BEANS. 

The first receipts arrived on the 25th March, three-peck boxes,, 
which sold at $3.50 per box. Receipts continued light for a week. 
or more, New Orleans and Florida shipping. On the 1st April 
$2.25 to $2.75 per box for freight receipts, and express $2.50 to 
$3.00, mainly New Orleans 3-peck boxes. April 10th prices 
are about the same and bulk of receipts from Louisiana. On 
the 20th receipts quite liberal and prices $1.50 to $1.75 for 3- 
pecks. On the 25th prices are unchanged, but on the 1st May 
better stock and higher prices— Alabama $2.00 to $2.50 and 
Louisiana receipts $1.50 to $2.00. Five days later 25c. per box 
lower all round. The wax variety has appeared and sells 25c. 
per box higher than the green. May 15th report reads, New 
Orleans flat 75c. to $1.00 per box and wax $1.50, Alabama round 
$1.50 to $1.60 per box (bushel). May 20th New Orleans 90c. ta 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 75 

$1.00 for green, wax $1.65, Alabama $1.25 to $1.50 per box, wax 
$1.75 to $1.90. 25th, Louisiana $1.00 per box for green and wax, 
Mobile $1.25 to $1.50, Arkansas 40c. to 60c. for one-third bu. boxes, 
and wax variety at 65c. per box. A week later home-grown 
appear and secures most of the trade. 

The round bean sells much better than the flat variety, and 
the Wax bean generally higher than either, though the market 
will not consume near as many of the latter. The flat (Early 
Mohawk) is the earliest and most valuable on this account- 
The Valentine, or round bean, is tenderer and less stringy, and 
sells kigher. Pack same as the pea— though they do not shrink 
as much as the pea while in transit. 

In packing exclude all the moisture possible and let them be 
as cool as circumstances will permit. TV ith proper precaution* 
so many will not reach here mouldy. In unfavorable weather 
they carry and keep better in one-third or half-bushel boxes— 
although the majority of the receipts come in three-peck and 
bushel boxes. A good many of the Arkansas beans come nicely 
packed in one-third bushel boxes, the beans crossing all the 
openings, so that none can drop out in this way while in transit. 



76 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

TOMATOES. 

As stated elsewhere, the first receipts are from the Island 
of Bermuda and come into the leading markets, East and West, 
during January and February. They come wrapped in brown 
paper, it seven-quart boxes, and keep in good order for several 
weeks, the price being usually about a dollar a box. We judge 
they are gathered when full grown, and then given plenty of 
time to ripen and color up while riding around the country. 
The first receipts last year appeared from Bermuda and Florida 
about the same time, 1st February, and sold for $1.50 peck boxes. 
The market remained quiet and steady for a week, when they 
declined to $1.25 per box. 10th to loth they average about $1.00 
per box. March 1st Bermuda and Florida shipping steadily and 
prices are lower, 50c. to $1.00 per box. March 15th to 20th 
receipts are light and prices $1.00 to $1.25 per box. April 1st to 
25th only Bermuda stock are offered, and scarce— $1.50 per box. 
First week in May receipts still confined to Bermuda growth and 
prices $1.00 to $1.25 per box. May 12th to 20th Bermuda 75c to 
$1.00. It is a very unusual thing to find none of the Southern 
States shipping tomatoes here late as the 20th of May. On the 
23rd first receipts from Mississippi, which sold readily at $2.50 per 
one-third bushel box. Receipts for several days are mainly from 
Mississippi, but too green to sell at full or ripe prices— $1.75 to 
$2.00. 25th, Alabama ships, getting $2.00 per box, and a few 
days later Texas and Louisiana are shipping, and prices range 
from $1.50 to $2.00 per box. 1st June, bulk receipts from Missis- 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 77 

sippi and Alabama and prices $1.50 to $1.75 per box. June 3rd 
to 6th, large receipts. Florida $2.00 to $2.40 per bushel crate, 
Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama 75c. to $1.00 per one- 
third bu. for stock not quite ripe— full ripe $1.25. Crystal Springs 
Mississippi, where vegetable growing is conducted on a very- 
extensive scale, commenced shipping at this time ; by freight in 
car-load lots. The stock was very tine, the freight receipts arriv- 
ing in splendid order, and sold right along at higher prices than 
were paid for most of the receipts from other points. They were 
gathered at just the proper time to stand the two or three days, 
were properly packed, and were eagerly sought for by the general 
trade. Shipped nearly a car each day for some time. June 8th, 
Arkansas commenced, getting $1.00 per box, the highest prices 
ruling then. June 15th to 20th, Mississippi 50c. to 75c, Arkansas 
75c. to 90c, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Kentucky 
85c and 93c per box. Home-grown commenced to come freely 
soon afterwards and shippers will hare to gradually pull out. 
Southern Illinois, however, shipped profitably for a long time 
afterwards. 

The importance of proper handling, packing, etc., is not 
properly estimated. If ripe tomatoes are going to be gathered, 
be sure you put them in a separate box ; but ripe stock should 
not be sent forward unless you are only a few hours' ride from 
market. Even then they are liable to arrive in bad order. 

Generally speaking, the proper time to gather and pack is 
when the tomato is full grown and beginning to color, or partly 
colored, depending upon the time in transit. The warm weather 



78 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

prevailing at the time will ripen them fast enough. You should 
not lose sight of the fact that a good many are wanted for re-ship- 
ment, and to be fit for this trade, the best we have, must not be 
fully ripe when they reach us. When shipped by freight they 
must be gathered still sooner, when full grown, before coloring 
sets in. Freight is not desirable unless you have some assurance 
in regard to time. A good many come from the South by freight 
that are almost worthless on arrival. Last year considerable 
came entirely too green ; that is, were picked and shipped before 
full grown and most of such stock arrived rotten. The regular 
peach box (one-third bushel) should be used. 

The best packing usually appearing in this market, is that 
from Southern Illinois, where the most experienced growers 
reside. Their packing is almost perfect. No knotty, stunted, 
overripe, or otherwise imperfect stock should be put in the box 
under any circumstances there. The receipts from that section 
are always sought by the shippers here in consequence. There 
is a very wide demand for the tomato; all classes being pur- 
chasers as soon as the price becomes reasonable. The demand 
for it is steadily on the increase. 

A great deal of money has been made off the tomato, not 
only in the South, but also North and East. The South is des- 
tined, however, to remain the most profitable region to cultivate 
them for commercial purposes. The improved facilities and 
lower rates for reaching Northern, or distant markets, continue 
to afford substantial encouragement. An acre of ground can be 
made to yield enormously in efficient hands ; from one hundred 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 79 

<to four hundred bushels, according to circumstances, location, 
etc. Two hundred is, perhaps, the limit in the South, and four 
^hundred in the North. 

As to varieties, will say that the -'Acme" should head the 
list for this market and for most other markets, too, as it is a 
universal favorite. "Livingston's Perfection" possibly next, and 
any smooth, round, medium-size variety, might be added. 



IRISH POTATOES. 

The first receipts, anywhere from March 1st to April 15th. 
Last spring, first receipts March the 10th, from New Orleans, and 
•sold at $3.00 per box, 3-peck boxes. First receipts this spring 
from Canary Islands, via Mobile, March 5th, and sold at same 
price— $3.00. A year ago the new supply found the market sup- 
plied abundantly by the old crop, and prices declined rapidly. 
March 17th to 20th, $1.50 to $1.75 per box, and $5.00 per bar- 
rel ; on the 25th, 75c. to 90c. per box and $3.00 to $3.50 per barrel. 
April 1st, scarcer and higher, 75c. to $1.00 per box, and $3.50 to 
$4.00 per barrel, with receipts mainly from New Orleans. April 
10th to 15th, most of the receipts in barrels and selling at $3.25 to 
$3.50 for good to choice. A good many small and inferior, sun- 
burnt, etc., coming, and selling about, $2.50 per barrel. On the 
20th to 25th, the market is $2.50 to $3.00 per barrel. 

On the first of May, a better demand exists for new, the old 
supply being more neglected and prices are higher, $3.00 to $3.65 



80 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

per barrel, and choice sacked, $1.10 to $1.40 per bushel. Most of 
the barrels slack. On the 10th to 15th, a steady advance is 
noted, $3.75 to $4.00 per barrel, and on the 20th, $5.00 per barrel 
is paid freely for good stock. June 1st, $4.00 to 4.50 per barrel. 
June 2nd, first home-grown receipts appear. Receipts from all 
sources continue so light that no decline follows for a week or 
more, but by the 15th of June, receipts very liberal, and they 
are quoted at $2.50 to $3.00 per barrel, and by the bushel, $1.00 
to $1.10. The Southern shipper is no longer interested, as prices 
steadily decline as home-grown continue to increase. 

In shipping by car-load be sure to secure a well-ventilated 
car. Occasionally cars come into the depot leaking— the con- 
tents nearly worthless. The weather was exceedingly warm, 
close and damp at such times, and the cars were almost air-tight, 
and the result was a serious loss to shippers. 

For early shipments the packages must be thoroughly venti- 
lated, whether boxes or barrels are used, and should be well 
filled so as to prevent shaking while in transit. The unripe or 
those not fully matured are easily bruised, and soon become so 
discolored as to spoil the sale of all. A number of growers ship 
a little too soon, and lose money by doing so. 

It is very important that potatoes should be barreled as soon 
as possible after they are dug, as lying in the sun heats them and 
causes them to rot. Avoid digging immediately after a heavy 
rain. All potatoes should be barreled when as dry and cool as it 
is possible to have them. Assort very carefully and ship nothing 
but the largest, having them as uniform in size as possible, as- 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 81 

culls or small ones do not increase the bulk much, but add to the 
weight and damage the sale, so that they bring no returns and 
actually depreciate the value of the full size ones with which 
they are mixed. Use full size, well-ventilated barrels, till to 
heaping, and shake down thoroughly. 

Early Rose, Early Ohio, Beauty of Hebron, Burbank, and 
Peerless, are standard varieties here, as they are at most other 
points. 



SWEET POTATOES 

Brought better prices last year than for the two or three years 
preceding, on account of light receipts and the good price pre- 
vailing for Irish potatoes. We have every year a heavy corre- 
spondence from parties throughout the South, who want to ship 
here, attracted often by the good prices ruling here, which 
usually apply to home-grown stock, and which always sell much 
higher than shipments from the South. The Southern receipts 
are always more or less discolored through bruises and injuries 
acquired through packing, rough handling, or shaking up 
received while in transit, and not infrequently dry rot visible to 
some extent. The large size and somewhat coarse texture, 
coupled with lack of flavor, as compared with home, form an 
additional objection. The Nansemonds, of local growth, are 
small to medium in size, clear, bright and sound, and sell much 
higher at all times. The Bermuda is grown here, but objected 



82 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

to by some on account of its size, and ihe Southern Queen 
has a limited sale partly on same account. During January and 
February of this year, the Southern stock ranged from $2.00 to 
$2.50 per barrel, while the local supply sold at $1.00 a barrel 
higher, and that difference will continue to exist in values for 
reasons named. Our market is usually bare of sweet potatoes 
from the middle of May to middle of August, when the new 
crop appears. 

First receipts from the South appeared about the 25th of 
July, and sold at $3.00 to $4.00 per barrel, but soon declined $3.00, 
for home-grown appeared a week later, showing early receipts 
from Southern points were much later than they should be. 
First week in August, home-grown are selling at $2.00 per bushel 
and consignments about $3.50 per barrel for average receipts, 
which are very light for some cause, and prices show but a small 
decline up to the 20th of the month, when we find home-grown 
at $1.50 to $1.75 per bushel, and Southern Yams, $3.00 to $3.25 
per barrel; September 1st, home-grown, $4.00 per barrel and 
shipments $2.25 to $3.00 per barrel; September 15th, home- 
grown Nansemonds, $3.50 per barrel, Bermuda, $3.00, and 
Southern shipments, Yams, etc., $1.75 per barrel. It is unnec- 
essary to pursue the course of the market any farther. First 
receipts, small lots, usually appear in boxes, one-half or bushel, 
and later in barrels. 

As already stated, prices were away above those of several 
preceding years, and last years' figures can't be used as a basis 
for future operations. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. S3 



CAULIFLOWER. 

It is quite strange, but true, that this very desirable vegeta- 
ble does not appear among the receipts of goods from the South. 
In our annual trips throughout the South we have never seen a 
<5rop of Cauliflower. We think its general neglect arises from a 
lack of experience essential to its success in its cultivation. The 
market here is never crowded with it, except for a short season, 
when the home-grown supply or season is at its height, and the 
receipts the largest of the year. 

It is an exceedingly valuable and profitable crop in the East, 
&nd could be made much more so we think in the South. The 
Southern growth should be coming here in March and through- 
out April. There are some (very small heads) in our market 
from local growers, raised in hot beds, cold frames, etc., during 
April, and selling at $2.00 to $2.50 per dozen. However, the 
principal reason that cauliflower is not more generally cultivated 
in the South is owing to the scarcity of suitable locations. Its 
natural and most congenial home is by the sea shore, the moist- 
ure inseparable from such a locality having a beneficial influence. 
It has been, in fact, asserted by eminent authority, that it can't 
be grown, except under such favorable conditions or influences, 
notably, salt water. This statement, however, will not stand in 
the face of the [fact that this county produces magnificent crops 
of cauliflower every year, and we are a thousand miles from the 



84 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

coast or salt water, and hence we say that the profits the busi- 
ness in the South can be made to yield are unknown to most vege- 
table growers, and we would suggest giving the matter a fair 
trial, to a limited extent at least. 



ASPARAGUS 

Can be grown profitably for Northern markets, but we can- 
not encourage any shipments here. Our own gardeners furnish 
it so extensively and begin so very early in the season, in January, 
that there is scarcely a profitable opening for outside parties at 
any time of the year, though the various markets represented in 
this book can doubtless ofier more encouragement. Asparagus is 
a specialty with many gardeners around here, and they com- 
mence shipping to other markets early in the season. 



CELER Y. 

Up to four or five years ago Chicago enjoyed the celery 
patronage of the West and South, but about this time Kalamazoo, 
Michigan, embarked in the business, and in no small way either. 
In the vicinity of that town there Was for years a broad expanse 
of swamp land— nearly two thousand acres— which a native 
assured us was so poor and desolate the birds would not fly over 
it, and it could not be sold at any price. One day a practical 
celery grower came along, secured a portion of this tract, under- 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 85 

drained and prepared it, and in a year was making money very 
fast— a fact a dozen or more others were not slow to discover, 
and to-day this immense tract of land is an almost unbroken 
•celery bed— owned and operated by perhaps one hundred differ- 
ent growers and shippers. The business there grew with won- 
derful rapidity, and shipments found their way to almost every 
-dealer from Maine to Florida— and for nearly six months in the 
year— July to January, they crowd every market. The whole 
acreage averages two crops a year— the first growth commencing 
to move in July and August and the later one October and 
November — and in a few instances three crops are grown — so 
rich and appropriate is the land for the purpose. 

The business proved a boon to the town, which has nearly 
doubled in wealth and population as the result— the sales of last 
year's output being placed at half million dollars. About one 
thousand eight hundred persons are employed in handling it 
during the season. 

The business at Chicago declined in proportion to the growth 
of the traffic in Michigan— but through the agency of lower prices 
a much wider and greater demand grew up — until other points 
commenced to grow and ship. During the past season Jackson, 
Michigan, shipped here the finest celery that has ever been 
•offered here— much larger and more attractive stock than the 
Kalamazoo yield. It was the White Plume variety, compara- 
tive)}'' new here, but caught the eye of all purchasers, and at 
much higher prices than prevailed for that from other points. 
The celery is white throughout, leaves and all. 



86 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

The local crop of celery has not been large, but it comes in 
late— usually December, January and February, and averages, in 
consequence, good prices. 

New Orleans, which heretofore has made but small ship- 
ments of celery, raised an enormous crop this past winter, and 
shipped here quite freely through January and February, and up 
to this writing March 5th. In size, quality, color, etc., it differs 
widely from all other receipts. It is a large, tall, rank growth, 
very poorly bleached, not as crisp or tender as the trade demands, 
but being without competition- especially during February and 
March, in this and other markets, finds buyers at good prices, 
50c. to 75c. per bunch (twelve stalks). 

It is possible that some improvement in quality will follow 
at New Orleans or other Southern points in the next few years. 
A better article would find liberal buyers in all the markets of 
the country during the spring months, when they are bare. 



LETTUCE 

Has been coming to this market freely during January and Feb- 
ruary, and up to this writing (March 7th), from New Orleans. 
It came principally in barrels, a part of which receivers put into 
bushel boxes on arrival, to accommodate small buyers. The 
prices ranged from $3.00 to $5.00 per barrel— possibly averaging 
$4.00. Local growers, too, have been bringing in some almost 
daily, which sold much higher, being bright, clean and fresh, 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 87 

while consignments do not look so inviting. The New Orleans 
receipts were mainly sandy and splashed, and none of it really 
clean. All had to be washed off clean and rehandled before it 
was offered to the consumers. 

We cannot, however, urge any extensive cultivation for this 
market, because if two or three other points shipped as freely as 
New Orleans did, and arrived at same time, the market would be 
glutted, when the demand is so limited and weather such that it 
can't be exposed for sale at the market stands. 



OTHER VEGETABLES. 

Spring Onions come in every spring, in all sorts of packages 
and conditions, and rarely bring much over the express charges. 
If they are cleaned off nicely, the roots trimed and tied up in 
bunches of six, no dead or discolored leaves, only the pure white 
and green colors visible, and packed in crates or boxes, ventilated, 
they will bring much more than the usual receipts, wnicn are 
pulled out of the ground and thrown into boxes without any 
attempt to clean, pack, or render them attractive to buyers, who 
are accustomed to see all such goods here in the most attractive 
condition at the various stands and stores where handled. 

Radishes suffer more while in transit than perhaps any other 
vegetable, and a few crushed leaves will soon start the whole lot 
on their way to destruction or decay. They should not be 



88 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

shipped with the soil still clinging to them, the way onions some- 
times come. Should be washed off clean and tied in bunches, 
and dry and cool before packed in ventilated packages— not as 
large as barrels, however, for our market. Must advise going 
slow for this market. 

Okra or Gumbo can be grown profitably for our market in a 
limited way. Mississippi shipped here successfully the past two 
years. It comes in one-third bushel boxes— beginning at $1.00 
per box and soon declining to 50c. It is so light, express charges 
do not amount to much. 

The bulk of the receipts were large, greenish pods— nearly 
twice as large as the local growth — entirely too large to meet the 
views of buyers. The dwarf, or smaller-growing varieties, are 
therefore, most desirable, and should only be cultivated for 
northern markets. 

Egg Plaxt3 are so heavy, the charges, especially if by 
express, become a serious matter. They can come here profitably, 
for a while at least, especially when shipped by fast freight, with 
melons, cantaloupes, and other goods coming that way from 
many points. Ship none that are in the least injured or faulty, 
and only in ventilated barrels or boxes. 

Squash comes regularly from the south ; mainly from New 
Orleans and Mobile, and usually bring paying, but not big prices. 
It comes successfully in ventilated boxes or barrels, and wrapped 
in coarse brown paper; the usual price, according to receipts and 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 89 

circumstances, are from 25 to 50 cents per dozen. Pack none that 
are speckled, soft, or otherwise injured or faulty. Nearly all 
•come through successfully by fast freight. 



We have already reviewed at length the kind of vegetables 
we recommend for this market. The remainder we bunch 
together and consider very doubtful, and would advise opening 
communications with the various other markets represented else- 
where in this work. We frequently have, early in the season, 
consignments of beets, early corn, carrots, parsnips, turnips, 
etc., etc., but on an average found only express charges in them, 
and not always that much. They wilt so while in transit that 
they rarely reach here in a presentable condition, such as consu- 
mers are accustomed to, especially freight receipts and express 
charges are most too high for them. 

The great number of gardeners in the vicinity of this city 
now accomplish so much through the aid of hot beds, cold frames 
and early forcing, that quite a list of vegetables can be had here 
at the stands throughout the year. The changes, improvements 
and progress developed in this industry here, within the past 
few years, are simply surprising, and surpass those near any 
other large city in the West. 



90 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 



Otfyer /T\arl(ets ar?d Business Qards 

Kepresented in this work are not by any means the least interest- 
ing portion of this pamphlet. They form interesting reading and 
constitute a part of the information which should be attached to 
a work of this kind, and that is why they are there. Some of 
these establishments have business all over the Union, and all 
stand high in their special line. The various interests repre- 
sented, as well as all the commission houses, embrace a number 
of firms that the thousands whose hands this little volume will 
fall into, should do more or less business with every year. 
We have done business with most of these firms for years, 
and "known them to be thoroughly reliable in all respects, 
and they are entitled to your confidence and patronage. 
Their names could not appear in this volume at any price, 
unless we knew them to be entirely reliable and trustworthy. 
We have admitted only such markets and such callings as we 
know our readers are interested in. 



FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 91 



In Conclusion 

I will say that this work has been somewhat hurriedly written, 
for there are no leisure hours for a commission merchant, who is 
doing a paying business. It is, although an improvement on a 
similar work writ ten two years ago, not as complete a guide as I 
desired to write. It covers, however, all the principal points, 
and will be a great help to new men seeking a livelihood in the 
business, for it will save them some experimental work and help 
to avoid the costly errors which the inexperienced are exposed 
to. 1 believe, however, from the many approving letters I have 
received in regard to it, that it is the most practical and instruct- 
ive work that has yet been given to the public on the subject, 
and although free to all applicants on receipt of stamps to pay 
postage, would readily sell at 25 cents per copy. The labor and 
expense, coupled with the necessary experience essential in get- 
ting it out, is such that no other firm in the United States has 
attempted it or anything similar, and we shall not do so again for 

three years. 

P. M. KIELY. 

St. Louis, March 10th, 18S8. 




CHICAGO. 



Established 1865. 




A. S. Maltman & Co., 

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE 




114 & 116 S. WATER STREET, 

Chicago, Ills. 

RBfBr, as tn Financial Standing or Business Integrity, 

tn any CDimnerciel .Agency, Business Hnuse 

or Bank in Chicagn. 



CONSIGNMENTS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES 
SOLICITED. 

jg^Orders for Fruit and Vegetables in car-load lot?, or smaller 
quantities, "filled with care and dispatch. 

[92 



ESTABLISHED 1875. 



^NEBRASKA COMMISSION HOUSE.-*- 






-J»£?>^^<«5«f- 



HM&RERVES BRDS. 



-^LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. 






If you have any Fruits or Produce to ship to this* 
market, give us a trial. We make a specialty in 
these lines. Quotations. Stencils and Shipping Cards 
sent promptly on application. 



REFERENCE S i 
Wm. T. Coleman & Co., San Francisco and Chicago. 
A. Booth & Son, Chicago and Baltimore. 

W. R. Stkong & Co., Sacramento, California. 
H. P. Stanley & Sons, Chicago, Ills. 

Anv Bank or Wholesale House in Nebraska, 
[93] 



ESTABLISHED 1880. 



SOUTH LAWRENCE 
ffo* 6. "I_i«.\»-ve\£\.ee, "\£.cv%. 




lIMake a Specialty of Growing STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
for Nurserymen and large Planters, 

MY COLLECTIOH EMBRACES 75 VARIETIES, 

Including 1 the latest new sorts. I have also on trial, some 
promising New Seedlings of my own origin. 



— o LET ME FIGURE ON YOUR WANTS, o — 

A Trial Order will convince you that my Strawberry Plants are 
second to none. 



A PROMINENT FEATURE OF MY PLANT BUSINESS 

Is never to send out a two-year old Strawberry Plant on any account, and 

never to send out Plants not true to name. 

FOR SALETHIS YEAR (1888) 800,000 STRAWBERRY PLANTS. PRICE LISTS FREE, 

For my 1888 Illustrated Small-Fruit Manual five 2-cent stamps. 



National Bank, Lawrence, Kas.; 

G. G. Johnson, President, Kansas State Horticultural Society, Lawrence. 

Correspondence Solicited.. 

B. F. SMITH, 

Sec'y Douglas Co. Horticultural Society, 
Box 66. LAWRENCE, KAS. 



-^BENNETT & MRLI> 

(Established by E. HALL, 1861,) 

Commission Merchants, 



-AND DEALERS IN— 



< FRUIT, POULTRY, GAME > 

•A-nd. -A-ll I^ind-s of O0-a.ri.tr37- DProdL-o.ee, 
161 WEST STREET, 

Corner Park Place. I^BW 1/01^. 

Refer to Publishers of this Book and Irving National 
Bank, New York. 



The Most Extensive and Original Advertisers in the Produce Business. 
Have Correspondents in all the Principal Cities and Towns in the United States. 
Make Quick Sales and Prompt Returns. 
Ship Goods to Order. 

Answer Inquiries Promptly. 

Attend to Sales Personally. 

Have Best of References. 



N. B. — Send for Stencils, Cards and Shipping Directions. Make a Trial Consignment 
or send an order. Do not-fail to call when you visit the city. 

BENNETT & HALL, 

Members of the Mercantile Exchange. 161 West Street, NEW YORK, 

C »5 J 



ESTABLISHED 1856. 



p. JA.. f ERRY $ jCo. 



Detroit, - Mich,, • 

Grozvers, Importers and Dealers in Vegetable, Flower 
and Field 




SEEDS. 



We make a specialty of supplying choice Peas, Beans 
and all other Vegetable Seeds to Truckers and Market 
Gardeners in all parts of the country. 

Our Seed Annual, containing full descriptions, prices 
and other needed information, mailed free on application. 

Ready at Christmas each year. Send for it. 

Address, 

D. (J\. p^V ($0., 

Detroit, Mich. 

[96] 



isT.A.sx-iejKiEXD xrtr 1372. 



J. W. SHORT & BRO., 



Successors to J. W. SHORT, 



Qeneral Commission /T\erchants 

For the Sale of 

Fruit, Produce and Vegetables, 

Nns, 321 and 323 SECOND STREET, 

REFERENCES : j g™£ SSS^ LOUISVILLE, KY. 



WRITE FOR STENCIL AND INFORMATION. 



ESTABLISHED Oct. 17th, 1877. 



Chas. H. Goldsmith, 

TERKB HAUTE, IND., 



produce Comgiggion Mepcbaqt 



Specially Small Fruits and Vegetables. Oranges, Lemons and Bananas, car 
load. Late in fall of year, on Potatoes, Apples, Cabbage and Onions. Sten- 
cils and information promptly furnished. Prompt returns made. Population 
this city, forty thousand. 

References: McKeen & Co., Bank, Adams or Express Agents, this 
city, or P. M. Kiely & Co. 

Truly yours, 

CHAS. H. GOLDSMITH. 

[97] 



SEED USUALLY SOWN UPON AN ACRE. 



Barley, broadcast. 2 to 3 bus. 

Beans, Dwarf, in drills.. \% bus. 

Beans, Pole, in hills 10tol2qts. 

Beets, in drills 5 to 6 lbs . 

Broom Corn, in hills 8 to 10 qts. 

Buckwheat 1 bus . 

Cabbage, to transplant... H lb. 

Carrot, in drills 3 to 4 lbs. 

Chinese Sugar Can« 12 qts. 

Corn, in hills 8 to 10 qts. 

Corn, for soiling 3 bus. 

Cucumber, in hills 2 lbs. 

Flax, broadcast \% bus. 

Hemp \y z bus. 

Mustard, broadcast K bus. 

Melon, Musk, in hills... 2 to 3 lbs. 
Melon, Water, in hills. . .4 to 5 lbs. 

Millet, broadcast lbus. 

Oats, broadcast 2 to 3 bus . 

Onion, in drills 5 to 6 lbs. 



Onion, for sets, in drills, 30 lbs. 

Onion Sets, in drills 6 to 12 bus . 

Parsnips, in drills 4 to 6 lbs. 

Peas, in drills la bus. 

Peas, broadcast 3 bus. 

Potatoes, cut tubers 10 bus. 

Pumpkin , in hills 4 to 6 lbs 

Radish, in drills 8 to 10 lbs . 

Rye, broadcast 1>£ to 2 bus 

Sage, in drills 8 to lOlbs. 

Salsify, in drills S to 10 lbs. 

Spinach, in drills 10 to 12 lbs. 

Squash, bush. var. in hills, 4 to 6 lbs. 
Squash, running " " 3 to 4 lbs. 

Tomato, to transplant li lb. 

Turnip, in drills y z to 2 lbs. 

Turnip, broadcast 3 to 4 lbs.- 

Vetches, broadcast 2 to 3 bus. 

Wheat 13* to 2 bus. 



PLANTS AND TREES TO SET TO THE ACRE. 



Disiance. Number. 

1 foot by 1 foot 43,500 

IX feet by la feet 19,360 

2 " 2 " 10,890 



3 
3 
3 
4 



!3* 



. 6,970 
14,520 
. 7.260 
. 4,840 
2,722 
, 1,742 



6 

9 

12 

15 

18 
20 
25 
30 
40 


Distance. 

feet by 6 feet 

" 9 »■ 


Number, 

1,210 

637 


" 12 " 


302 


" 15 " 


194 


" 18 " 


134 


«' 20 " 

" 25 " 


105 

70 


■« 30 " 


40 


11 40 " 


37 



[98] 



WEIGHT OF PRODUCE. 



Wheat 60 

Corn, Shelled 56 

Corn, in the Ear 70 

Corn Meal 50 

Rye '. 56 

Oats 32 

Flax Seed 56 

Buckwheat 52 

Barley 48 

Hungarian Grass 48 

Millet 50 

Clover 60 

Hemp 44 

Malt 34 

Timothy 45 

Sorghum Cane 50 

Red Top Grass 14 

Orchard Grass 14 



Lbs- 
Blue Grass .' 14 

Osage Orange 33 

Coal 80 

Salt 50 

Potatoes , Irish 60 

Potatoes, Sweet 50 

Onions 57 

Turnips 57 

White Beans 60 

Peas 60 

Split Peas 60 

Castor Beans 46 

Green Apples 50 

Dried Apples 24 

Onion Top Sets 28 

Dried Peaches 33 

B ran 20 

Peanuts, Dry Southern 22 



GRASS SEED TO THE ACRE. 



White Clover 3 to 5 pounds. 

Red Clover 10 to 15 pounds. 

Lucerne Clover 6 to 8 pounds. 

Alsike Clover 4 to 6 pounds. 

Timothy 12 pounds. 



Hungarian Gra*J....l bushel. 

Blue Grass 1H to 3 bushels. 

Rye Grass \Y. to 2 bushels. 

Orchard Grass 1 % to 2 bushels . 



[99] 



W, P. M£SL£R &C0„ 

Manufacturers and Dealers in all kinds of 

Ftfniii and Vegetable pac^age^. 



PACTOE.T -A.T 



COBDEN, Union County, ~ - ILLINOIS. 

42 miles North of Cairo on I. C. B. R. f and 
three miles from St. Louis §- Cairo JR. It. 



We keep on hand large quantities of Hallock and Leslie 
Quarts and Crates, £ bushel and bushel boxes, and can fill orders 
early with dry material ; saving consumers considerable on freight. 

We also keep on hand Wire Nails, Tacks, Tack Hammers, 
Forms for making Quarts, Wire and Wire Sewing Box Machines 
for sewing the boxes together. 



Refer to Parker Earle, Pres. Miss. Val. Hort. Society. 
J. H. & H. E, McKay, Madison, Miss. 
W. M. Samuels, Clinton, Ky. 
P. M. Kiely & Co., St. Louis. 



SElrTID FOR PRICE LIST. 

[100] 



F A R M E R S ! 

Feed your Land and it will Feed you. 




fyichoi 1 Braqd "Fertilize^" 



ON ALL — 



FIELD AND GARDEN CROPS, 

Thereby increasing the yield 50 to 100 per cent., and maturing 
the crops much earlier. 

SEND FOR OUR 

^MEMORANDUM 4- POCKET 4- BOOK,**- 

Giving full directions, etc. 



A. B. MAYER M'F'G CO., 
ANCHOR BONE WORKS M2 ANCHOR FERTILIZER WORKS, 

ST. LOUIS, MO. 



We also make a brand especially adapted for Oranges, Florida crops, called the 
" Tankage Fertilizer." 

[101] 



ESTABLISHED 1BZB. 



B. If. TANMBM f 

Commission ITJePGhant, 

521 WALNUT STREET, 

ZE^-^n^TS-^-S CITY, MO. 



Special Attention Given to Early Fruits and Vegetables in Their Season. 



NOTICE TO SHIPPERS.— Kansas City has grown so 
rapidly during the past few years that it is now one of the great 
and profitable shipping points of the growing West. This city 
has a population of two hundred thousand people, and in addition, 
a very large floating population, which daily consumes a vast 
quantity of the early products of the South. Kansas City is 
undoubtedly the best distributing point in the whole West, 
having within a radius of sixty miles no less than eight cities, 
ranging in population from eight to forty thousand, which very 
largely draw their supplies from this market. 

Shipping Stencils and all desired information furnished upon 
application. 

°* 

BEFEREUCES = 

German American Bank, this city. 
Bradstreet's or Dun's Mercantile Agencies. 
P. M. Kiely & Co., St Louis. 
Chas. H. Schenck, New Orleans. 
[102] 



ESTABLISHED IN 1880. 



(•j. 5. LlEBHARDT COMMISSION Go 

IMPORTERS AND GROWERS, 



AGENTS FOR 



F6^EI6N ^ D6TOTIC EflaFFjS, 

1524-1630 Holladay St. - DENYER, COL. 



4. 3 3= IE C I .A. Xj T I IE S : tf< 

Apples, Oranges, Lemo?is, Cranberries, Bananas, Cali- 
fornia Green Fruit, Melons, Gmpes, Straw- 
berries and Szveet Potatoes. 



*^*(jL)e are the only house west of St. Louis that can handle 
our specialties with same promptness as they are handled in 
large Eastern markets, and the only house that can close out 
a car of Strawberries to advantage on arrival. 



CDRRESPDNMNCE SOLICITED 



PRIVATE TELEGRAPHIC CIPHER CODE, Stencil Plates, Price Currents, etc. 
free on application. 

[103] 



WILLIAM B. CURTH, 

Produce * fommission * Merchant 

AND WHOLESALE DEALER IN 

Foreign and Domestic Fruits, Butter, Eggs and Cheese, 
807 Water Street, - - SANDUSKY, OHIO. 



I solicit consignments of Water Melons, Cantaloupes, Berries, 
Vegetables of all kinds, also all kinds of Dried and Fresh Fruit, 
Potatoes, Onions, Nuts. Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Poultry, etc. Send 
for Stencil and Market Quotations. 

Yours respectfully, 

WILLIAM B. CURTH. 

&of man's J^nrat Wortd. 

ESTABLISHED BY 1 CONDUCTED BY 

NORMAN J. COLMAN. 1$ CHALMER D. COLMAN. 

PTTBlilSHEU TXTEESLT. 

ONLY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. 



r Jhe Rural World is the oldest Agricultural and HorticultnralJournal 
in the Mississippi Valley, and, upon comparison, will be found to be equal 
to the best. Send for a sample copy and see. 

It is the leading Horticultural Journal of the West, and publishes the 
cream of the current news in that department. 

For the stock raiser, horse breeder, wool grower and the general farmer, 
it publishes more and better information than any other paper. Sample 
copies free. Address, 

C. D. COLMAN, 
705 Olive Street - ST. T.OU1&, MO 

[104] 



Sutliff Bros. 

GENERAL COMMISSION MERCHANTS 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA. 



SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO 

SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

FOR WHICH WE HAVE A LONG SEASON HERE. 

Csnespondence Solicited.. 



W. S. McMAINS & CO., 
E?roduee (so/T\missior> CQer^baDts, 

— -And Wholesale Dealers in 

Fruits, Berries, Early Vegetables. Melons, Eggs, Butter 
Hides, Etc.. Etc., 

403 Walnut Street, - - KANSAS CITY, MO. 



C National Bank of Co 
1 Pacific Express Cor 
( Commercial Agenci 



REFERENCES C National Bank of Commerce, Kansas City, Mo. 

BY \ Pacific Express Company. 

PERMISSION 



We solicit your consignments of Berries, Fruits, Water-Melons, Canta- 
loupes, New Potatoes and Tomatoes, and all other Vegetables, Etc. 
Send for Stencil and Market Quotations. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

W. S. McMAINS & CO^ 

[105] 



Established in 1866, (J 
120 S. WATER STREET. <J) 




Established in 1886, 
159 S. WATER STREET. 



Barnett Bros., 

CHICAGO 

CQMfifl ^IOf l and FI^lilT DEALER. 

RAVING been long in the business, we offer our services to FRUIT 
*&> SHIPPERS, and are fully satisfied we can serve you to advantage. Since 
the last issue of this book, we have been compelled to seek new quarters, and 
now have the whole of 159 South Water Street, 28x150, four stories high, 
well lighted and equipped with a full corps of trained employes, so that 
the personal advantages we offer are unsurpassed by any house in the bus- 
iness. The advantages of Chicago, as a market, are somewhat known to 
the fruit grower. We do not urge shipments to our market regardless of 
price, but we shall be pleased to answer correspondence at all times, and 
urge on all intending to ship, to obtain reliable information about this 
market before shipping, if possible. 

Stencils will be furnished free, and we will do all we can for the best 
interests of the shipper in the sale of Fruits and Vegetables. 

We refer, by permission, to the Agents of the Southern, Adams', Amer- 
ican and United States Express Companies; also to P. M. Kikly & Co. 

B-A.^^l^TEa?'x , beos., 

159 South Water Street, .... CHICAGO. 



Agents for the FLGRSDA FRUIT EXCHANGE. 

[ 106 ] 



O-IEO. DAVIES, 

PRODUCE ^ COMMISSION MERCHANT, 



in 

Oi CD 




a) 

O 

o 

+-» 

PQ 



as 

a 

as 

3 






5 ° 

C CD 



CQ 
3 



CO 

CD 

CQ 

CD 






a 

o 

3 

CD 

w 

o 



THE STORE— Established 1870. 

SPECIALTY.— The most perishable kind of garden produce, such as 

Berries, Currants, Cherries, Peaches, Plums and Grapes. 

in car loads, or less. 

Bananas, Oranges, Lemons, Pineapples. Water-melons, 

Potatoes, Onions, Apples, Peas, Etc. 




3° 



an 



56 



C<VSH ADVANCED ON CONSIGNMENTS. 

Prospect Street, CLEVELAND, 



FREEZING and COLD £ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



HI 

000 938 ! 

$1. Loui? Automatic I^eMgeflrtmjj Co. 



000 938 902 7 



Offer Superior Facilities fir the Storage of 

4 FRUITS, f 



BUTTER, EGGS, CHEESE, MEATS, ETC. 



■A.TT 



ANY DESIRED TEMPERATURE. 



FREEZING A SPECIALTY. 



POULTRY. MEATS, GAME AND FISH 

Frozen and Guaranteed for any Length of Time. 



Particular attention given to the storage and handling of 
eggs for the season. We have a large number of rooms, all 
absolutely controlled by automatic temperature regulators, and 
can give clean, dry storage at any desired degree, down to 30 below 
zero. 



ST. LOUIS AUTOMATIC REFRIGERATING CO., 
Warehouses and Office, II S. Third St., st. louis, mo. 

J. H. PETERS, Manager. 



